Defence & Security Podcast Network

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Zac Smith of Leidos Australia and Dr Malcolm Davis of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute to unpack the role of AUKUS Pillar 2 and the future of the Australian Defence Force. The trio discuss a range of topics as they navigate the still murky world of AUKUS Pillar 2 and what it means for the future of the...

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Daniel Croft and David Hollingworth talk about the latest AI news, the week in cyber crime, Tasmanian government breach woes, and Australia signing an important UN cyber crime treaty. The pair kick things off with some AI news, including OpenAI opening up about how many of its users talk about their mental health challenges with the bot, and the company'...

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Bethany Alvaro speaks with Isaac Ohlin, general manager of policy and services at RSL NSW, about the establishment of the Defence and Veterans' Service Commission – launched on 29 September 2025 in response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide (2021). The pair discuss the commission's purpose, challenges and impact on Austral...

Ever wondered what it takes to lead with resilience while balancing life, career and wellbeing? In this episode of The Progress Report, Tash Taylor sits down with Marisa Branscombe, head of marketing communication at Atturra, to talk about leadership, resilience, and the human side of managing teams in high-pressure environments. Marisa shares how her career evolved from rural media to leading peo...

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Mark Gainsford and Matt Dodds of Systematic to discuss the digital transformation shaping the Australian Defence Force. The trio also examine how, in an era of renewed great power competition, the ADF must adapt to warfare defined by data, speed and contested information environments. They highlight that the pa...

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, special returning host Liam Garman is joined by Lockheed Martin's Josh Woodward and Wayne Harrison to discuss the transformational impact of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System for the Australian Defence Force. The trio discuss the range of ways HIMARS will serve as a significant transformation in Australia's approach to littoral and...

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Daniel Croft and David Hollingworth talk about the latest AI news, the week in cyber crime, an important Aussie merger, and how a Hollywood actor is reclaiming his identity. The pair kick things off with some AI news, including Wikipedia woes, OpenAI's Atlas, and Yelp's new AI travel offering. Hollingworth and Croft then move on to the latest in cyber cr...

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Daniel Croft and David Hollingworth touch on the latest in AI and how state governments are regulating its use, the Qantas leak and the 5 million people impacted, and we chat about major cyber attacks with SolarWinds CISO Tim Brown. Croft and Hollingworth begin by discussing the fight that CBA has ignited with the Finance Sector Union and former staff af...

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by returning guest Heston Russell – a public speaker, author and former Australian Special Forces officer – to discuss the 2025 Veteran Games and the recent grand finals held on the Gold Coast (11 and 12 October). Russell has previously served in 2nd Commando Regiment as a commando platoon commander, was d...

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Tony Rogers, Brian Weinstein and Scott Keane of Stantec to discuss the role and importance of naval infrastructure to modern navies. The group discuss a range of subjects including: The global pressures being felt by contemporary Western naval infrastructure and the growing demands placed on physical infrastruc...

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Daniel Croft and David Hollingworth touch on the latest in AI and how state governments are regulating its use, the Qantas leak and the 5 million people impacted, and we chat about major cyber attacks with SolarWinds CISO Tim Brown. Croft and Hollingworth begin by discussing the fight that CBA has ignited with the Finance Sector Union and former staff af...

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Mike Pezzullo, former secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, and Ross Babbage, CEO of Strategic Forum and a Non-Resident Senior Fellow of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, to discuss Australia's role and challenges in the deteriorating global order. The trio discuss a range of issues facing Austra...

Imagine being part of a group that no one ever wants to join – a community born from loss, but one that becomes a lifeline. On this episode of The Progress Report, running in time for War Widows Day on 19th October, Tash Taylor sits down with war widows Jenny Ware, Lynne Boyd and Wendy McKean, who have turned grief into friendship, laughter, and resilience. Through candid stories, they reveal how...

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Steve Kuper sits down with Tim Grabert and Chris White to discuss the increasing importance of Australia's test and evaluation capabilities. The trio discuss the importance of contemporary test and evaluation (T&E) capabilities as outlined in the government's 2023 Defence Industry Development Strategy and the role it will play in shapi...

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Daniel Croft and David Hollingworth walk through the latest in AI news, with Deloitte paying money back to the NSW government for an AI report, hacking news, with a deep dive into just who Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters might be, and the Qilin ransomware gang taking responsibility for the Asahi hack. Croft and Hollingworth begin by talking about AI hallucinat...

In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant, Liam Garman, and Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson unpack how Australia's shifting information and economic environment is deepening social rifts and reshaping national security. Tarrant opens with the housing debate, questioning whether allowing buyers into the market with just a 5 per cent deposit strengthens opportunity...

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Daniel Croft and David Hollingworth touch on the latest in AI and how companies are prioritising it over staff, a brutal new ransomware operation publishing the data of young children, and the Department of Home Affairs looking to fill the new Cyber Incident Review Board. Croft and Hollingworth begin by discussing the latest educational AI at the Univers...

A truly hard-hitting discussion of challenges and triumphs in the Defence community. In this episode of The Progress Report, Defence Connect's Tash Taylor sits down with Families of Veterans Guild CEO Renee Wilson, board chair Tricia Hobson as well as board director and interim deputy chair Jennifer Collins. The group takes a look back at the roots of the establishment of War Widows Guild in NSW i...

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Daniel Croft and David Hollingworth talk about NSWEduChat, a virtual Charlie Kirk, the impact of a cyber incident disrupting airports across Europe, and how Australian not-for-profits are getting a new tool to face a rising tide of ransomware attacks. Croft and Hollingworth open proceedings with Instagram's new AI age assurance checks then talk about the...

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, managing editor Steve Kuper speaks with Andrew Henderson, director of AgSecure and a leading voice on agricultural resilience, biosecurity, and national preparedness. Together, they explore the recently released National Food Security Strategy discussion paper, the importance of critical inputs like fuel and fertiliser, the implications of trade disp...

In this episode, host Steve Kuper sits down with Benjamin Rice, managing director at Coherics, to unpack the critical role of training and simulation in preparing the Australian Defence Force and its allies for the challenges of modern warfare. From the vast live-fire exercises of Talisman Sabre to the increasingly vital domains of cyber, space and multi-domain operations, the conversation explore...

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Daniel Croft and David Hollingworth touch on the latest in AI and its incorporation in Australian education, the latest from ransomware operators targeting Australian organisations, and the alleged retirement of Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters. Croft and Hollingworth begin by discussing UNSW and its partnership with OpenAI, which will see 10,000 licenses rolle...

What happens when a woman with the "how hard can it be" gene takes on the male-dominated world of cyber and national security? In this episode of The Progress Report, Defence Connect's Tash Taylor sits down with Niru Verma, partner at Excelium, to unpack the twists and turns of her career – from 11 years in the APS to launching her own business, to leading teams in one of Canberra's fastest-growin...

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Peter Behrendt, managing director of defence for Serco Asia-Pacific, to unpack the role of Serco in supporting the Royal Australian Navy. They discuss the countdown to Indo Pacific 2025, with much of the spotlight falling on Australia's maritime capabilities – particularly with the recent announcement of the ev...

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Daniel Croft and David Hollingworth touch on the latest in AI news, concerning developments in the world of cyber crime, and recommendations by the Law Council of Australia regarding the next phase of the nation's Cyber Security Strategy. Croft and Hollingworth begin by discussing eSafety and changes made to the Online Safety Act to ensure that young chi...