Defence & Security Podcast Network

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...

In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by the Honourable Andrew Hastie MP, shadow minister for home affairs, for a hard-hitting discussion on the shifting nature of Australia's national security challenges. No longer confined to conventional defence or counter-terrorism, the security debate now spans economic sovereignty, industrial security, and social cohesio...

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Andrew Forbes, chief growth officer, and Cher Min Teo, campaign director for capability assurance, training and simulation at QinetiQ Australia, to discuss the role of Australia's sovereign test and evaluation capabilities and the role it plays in sharpening Australia's defence capability. With Australia at a p...

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft discuss the latest AI news, some worrying trends in cyber crime, and this year's largest supply chain hack, impacting hundreds of companies worldwide. Hollingworth and Croft kick things off by looking at the NSW government embracing AI and the federal government's timely move to ban deepfake "nudify" apps that are bein...

In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, Phil Tarrant, Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson and Liam Garman unpack the escalating role of information warfare in today's conflicts. From the mobile phone's transformation into a weapon to the blurred lines between propaganda and "information operations", the team dissects how truth itself has become contested ground. The conversation expl...

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by the Australian Defence Industry Awards' Female Defence Leader of the Year (SME), Sarah Bailey, to discuss the nature of leadership, courage, and opportunity as the chief executive of PentenAmio Australia. Bailey has previously held senior leadership roles at EY, Australia Post, and National Australia Ba...

How do you forge a trailblazing path and rise to leadership in the Australian Defence Force? In this episode of The Progress Report, Defence Connect's Tash Taylor sits down with Rear Admiral Letitia Van Stralen, head of Military Personnel for the Australian Defence Force. ADML Van Stralen shares how her 30-year journey began with a law degree, which led her to being one of the first women on a Nav...

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft discuss a pair of lawsuits targeting ChatGPT's maker, cyber crime news, and one US politician's novel solution to combat hackers. Hollingworth and Croft kick things off by addressing a pair of lawsuits targeting OpenAI and the tragic case of a teenager who was allegedly aided in their suicide by ChatGPT's advice. The p...

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Heston Russell – a public speaker, author and former Australian Special Forces officer – to discuss the 2025 Veteran Games and the recent regional heat held in Darwin on 22 August and later this year on the Gold Coast (11 and 12 October). Russell has previously served in 2nd Commando Regiment as a Comma...

In this episode of the Defence Property Podcast, Kane Dury from Discover Buyers Agency and Liam Garman, editor of Smart Property Investment, tackle the property questions that Australian Defence Force members can't afford to ignore. They explore how the Reserve Bank of Australia's latest rate cut could impact borrowing capacity and why understanding these shifts early gives Defence buyers an edge....

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty sits down with Harry Hickling, managing director at APV Corporation, to discuss the importance of rigorous testing and evaluation in the evolving landscape of defence and automotive industries. Hickling takes listeners behind the scenes, sharing how the company runs laboratory tests on military and civilia...

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft discuss CommBank's use of AI to stop scams, local hacks and international cyber news, creepy AI toys for kids, and the alarming fact that what we know about ransomware attacks is just the tip of the iceberg. Hollingworth and Croft begin the podcast with two Commonwealth Bank stories: CBA rolling back its job cuts after...

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by the Australian Defence Industry Awards' Rising Star of the Year, Gitarth Vaishnav, to discuss the inspiring award and his efforts as a software engineer in the sensor fusion team at DroneShield headquarters in Sydney. The University of Technology Sydney graduate, who was recognised as the AI Rising Star...

What does it really take to find your place in one of Australia's most niche industries – and how do you turn curiosity into a meaningful career? In this episode of The Progress Report, Defence Connect's Tash Taylor sits down with Mary Pillay, a space and robotics engineer and ambassador of the Australian Space Diversity Alliance. Mary shares how her journey began with a chance industry night at u...

In this episode of Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, Liam Garman sits down with Sibel Aktim, a Macquarie University graduate and intelligence officer, to explore postgraduate courses that are available to assist people with their careers in defence and law enforcement. Inspired by a lecturer, Aktim pursued a master of intelligence, finding a practical bridge between academic study and real-world...

In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman dissect the forces shaping Australia's national security in an increasingly volatile world. From the shortage of tradespeople to the sustainability of the nuclear submarine program, the team explores how domestic economic realities – including the property market – intersect with...

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by the Australian Defence Industry Awards' Executive of the Year, Tim Walmsley, to discuss the momentous award and his leadership of the BenchOn global resource and supply platform. The retired Australian Army Major has completed two master's degrees – in capability development and acquisition and project...

In this episode of Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, Liam Garman sits down with Dr Gary Eves, principal technology officer at CAE, to explore how cutting-edge training and simulation are reshaping the way the ADF prepares for tomorrow's battles. The discussion dives into CAE's Integrated Learning Environment, a platform that unites instructors, simulators and analytics into a single, adaptable fr...

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft discuss the future of AI and copyright in Australia, ShinyHunters and their relationship to the Scattered Spider hacking collective, and a new ransomware operator targeting small businesses in the ANZ region. Hollingworth and Croft kick open things up with a discussion on the Australian Productivity Commission's sugges...

In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson and Phil Tarrant are joined by Simon Bergman, CEO of M+C Saatchi World Services, to unpack the evolving landscape of grey zone warfare and the role of creative industries in modern conflict. Drawing on decades of operational and commercial experience, Bergman explores how advertising expertise is being harnes...