Defence & Security Podcast Network

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 explores the challenges of navigating a “post-truth” world dominated by political tribalism, misinformation, and the weaponisation of narratives. The hosts reflect on conflicts such as Gaza, where competing lobbies and real-time social media footage shape global perceptions. They also examine Australia’s role within the Five Eyes alliance, including revelations of restricted intelligence sharing around the Ukraine peace talks – a development that could reshape international cooperation and Canberra’s strategic outlook. The team rounds out the discussion with broader geopolitical and domestic challenges, from US talk of military action in Latin America to Australia’s housing affordability crisis – all underlining the reality that contestation extends far beyond the battlefield. Enjoy the podcast, The Contested Ground team

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 Bank and has served on the advisory board of the University of Canberra. The pair discuss a range of topics regarding the defence industry, including: Bailey’s experience winning the Female Defence Leader of the Year (SME) award and the acknowledgement of the entire defence industry at ADIA in Canberra. Her philosophy on leadership and conflict resolution, as well as the challenges of managing the merger of Penten and Amiosec in May this year. Business life as a female CEO in a traditionally male-dominated sector of business, such as the defence industry. Bailey’s mentors and the people who have inspired and helped along the way. The pair wrap up the podcast discussing personal challenges and plans for the future. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

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 Navy destroyer, evolving into senior leadership roles shaping the future of the ADF. From mentoring young women, navigating deployments, and building supportive networks to advocating for diversity and inclusion across the force, ADML Van Stralen opens up about the resilience, determination, and opportunities that have defined her career. The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts. Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team

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 pair then catch up with the latest news: from a string of cyber attacks that targeted Western Sydney University to Google’s warning of increased Iranian cyber attacks and a round-up of this week’s local ransomware attacks targeting Aussie businesses. Hollingworth and Croft end the podcast discussing Australia’s “right to disconnect” laws and the bold plan of one American politician to bring back the Age of Sail’s letters of marque to recruit cyber privateers. Enjoy the episode, The Cyber Uncut team

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 Commando Platoon commander, was deployed to four combat operational deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, served in Iraq as a Special Operations joint lead planner within the Special Operations Joint Task Force and completed a year-long exchange within the United States Special Operations Command. He holds a bachelor of arts from the University of NSW, majoring in history and Indonesian. The pair discuss a range of issues, including: The Veteran Games, veterans support services and why Russell founded the games in 2022 in response to findings from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. Returning home and the reality of living in Australia as a military veteran, the challenges associated with reacclimatising to civilian life and how the defence industry can help veterans return with life of purpose outside the Australian Defence Force. Russell’s own experience navigating media scrutiny after service and his recommendations to other veterans in their interactions with journalists. His experience as a young veteran in relation to traditional support associations in Australia. The pair also look at whether these organisations have the draw and support needed to attract younger veterans. The podcast wraps up by discussing the need to improve Australian leadership, take a bigger role in peacekeeping operations and how Australia can be a force for good in peacekeeping across the globe. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team

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. The duo emphasise the power of expert guidance – from mortgage brokers who compare multiple lenders to accountants and buyer’s agents who know how to avoid costly traps. Dury also sheds light on the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS) entitlements, explaining how both active and Reservist members can use them to unlock new investment opportunities. From the growing popularity of rentvesting to upcoming changes in first home buyer schemes, the episode equips ADF personnel with strategies to balance lifestyle and long-term wealth creation. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

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 civilian-focused vehicles, ensuring automotive equipment doesn’t compromise safety systems. The podcast also focuses on APV Engineering and Testing Services’ (APV-T) use of advanced simulation technology to run thousands of virtual test scenarios, reducing development costs and time to market. The pair also discuss the broader implications of simulation in defence, where it’s helping to de-risk expensive and challenging testing scenarios. APV is growing its international presence and the company’s expanding its staff to meet the increasing demand for simulation expertise. The episode wraps up with an invitation for engineers and technicians to join APV in its mission to enhance safety across industries, especially military and automotive sectors. With their cutting-edge work, APV is setting new standards for testing and safety. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

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 AI chatbots fail to keep up with customer demand, and the bank’s novel use of AI to stymie scammers. The pair move on to a story with some incredible twists and turns after an Israeli cyber security specialist working for the government was arrested in Las Vegas for a shocking alleged crime, the iiNet hack that saw more Aussie data compromised by cyber criminals, and attacks on Australian institutions by pro-Palestine hackers. Hollingworth and Croft round things up with a creepy tale of two AI-powered toys designed to cut down on screen time for children, but which actually sound like a nightmare in their own right. Enjoy the episode, The Cyber Uncut team

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 of the Year at the Australian AI Awards in 2024, has completed a bachelor of computing science (honours) and holds a major in artificial intelligence and data analytics. The pair discuss a range of topics regarding the defence industry and engineering, including: Vaishnav’s experience winning the Rising Star of the Year award and the acknowledgement of the entire defence industry at ADIA in Canberra. His thoughts regarding the evolution of drone and counter-drone technology internationally and domestically. His keen interest in programming and microcontrollers during high school and a chance meeting with DroneShield leadership while he was studying at UTS in Sydney. Vaishnav’s mentors and the people who have inspired and helped along the way at DroneShield. The pair wrap up the podcast discussing personal challenges and plans for the future. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

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 university, her experience cold emailing companies to land her first internship, and the mentorship that helped her grow into a confident professional. From being thrown into the deep end during her first week to guiding students and young professionals into the space sector, Mary opens up about the importance of putting yourself out there, seizing opportunities, and surrounding yourself with supporters who believe in you. The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts. Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team