
Defence Connect Podcast Network
The Defence Connect Podcast Network hosts a unique series of podcasts, featuring discussions with key enablers from across the Australian defence industry.
The podcasts provide the perfect blend of business intelligence and insights from a range of guests, which include government officials, ADF personnel, industry stakeholders, and members of the academic community.
By aligning ourselves with the ADF and the Commonwealth government, we are uniquely placed to deliver a dynamic 360° platform that bridges the gap between the customer (Defence) and industry.
We split our focus not just into the traditional sectors of Land (Army), Air (Air Force) and Sea (Navy), but into the six new Capability Streams:
- Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Electronic Warfare and Cyber
- Key Enablers
- Air and Sea Lift
- Maritime and Anti-Submarine Warfare
- Strike and Air Combat
- Land Combat and Amphibious Warfare
As Defence moves to ensure the Force Structure Review and the First Principles Review: Creating One Defence plans are met, Australian industry involvement is critical for mission success.
The Defence Connect Podcast Network will provide you and your business with valuable lessons, tips and insights into the industry, putting your company in the best position to take part in the increased Defence spending.
We’ll cover every aspect of doing business in the defence industry, from the tender process to recruitment, success stories, access points to Defence, smart business strategies, and geopolitical insights.
Subscribe to the Defence Connect network and be part of this exciting and innovative industry.
Latest episodes

Nov 11, 2024 • 41min
DEFENCE PROPERTY PODCAST: Investing in property from post to post
Foresight and a resourceful approach are two traits that soldiers embody, and translate seamlessly into property investment success. On this episode of the Defence Property Podcast, co-hosts Phil Tarrant and Discover Buyers Agency’s Kane Dury are joined by Major Ben Vitale, whose property investment journey started when he served alongside Kane in the Australian Defence Force. Ben discusses the keys to success around property investment in the military, highlighting that planning ahead and strategic rentvesting can enable soldiers to build a robust portfolio even when moving from post to post. The trio also highlight the importance of making use of the grants available to ADF members, and how additional grants and rental assistance can be used all at once to maximise a property portfolio.

Nov 11, 2024 • 38min
CYBER UNCUT: Preparing for attacks on ICS/OT infrastructure, with Dragos’ Dawn Cappelli
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Dawn Cappelli, head of OT-CERT at Dragos, joins host Liam Garman to unpack how governments and the industry are responding to current and emerging ICS/OT threats. The pair begin the podcast by examining how operational technology is becoming more interconnected with the digital world and what emerging vulnerabilities providers should be aware of for the future. Cappelli and Garman then look into whether government regulations are keeping pace with evolving threats and whether artificial intelligence is transforming the world of operational technology. They wrap up the podcast by discussing some pertinent case studies, zero trust, and what the landscape of operational technology security will look like over the next decade. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team

Nov 8, 2024 • 38min
CONTESTED GROUND: Unpacking resource and food security, with Senator Matt Canavan
In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, Liam Garman is joined by senator for Queensland Matthew Canavan to discuss resource and food security, international politics and Australian domestic policy. The pair begin the podcast discussing voting trends in Australia and the results of the recent Queensland election. They then examine the need for a robust policy platform that supports Australia’s resources industry, protecting national sovereignty, delivering jobs and economic growth. Senator Canavan and Garman then unpack the economic impact of trade embargoes on Australia’s finances, before examining the need for effective biosecurity legislation to protect Australian farmers. Finally, the pair discuss the intersection between resources and building a skilled workforce. Enjoy the podcast, The Contested Ground team

Nov 7, 2024 • 32min
SPOTLIGHT: Quantum – revolutionising Defence, health and energy – with Dr Cathy Foley, Australia’s chief scientist
In this special ADSTAR series of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, Liam Garman sits down with Australia’s chief scientist, Dr Cathy Foley, to discuss quantum technology and how we can facilitate the growth of quantum in Australia. Dr Foley begins the podcast defining quantum – and how this dual-use technology will revolutionise healthcare, energy and even sports science. The pair then look at quantum in a national security context, and how it can be employed to understand the impact of disinformation on the human brain, before wrapping up with an analysis of the National Quantum Strategy. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

Nov 5, 2024 • 1h 19min
SPOTLIGHT: Commercialising academic and industry research, with Defence Trailblazer’s Dr Sanjay Mazumdar
In this episode of the ADSTAR podcast series, host Liam Garman is joined by Dr Sanjay Mazumdar, executive director of the Defence Trailblazer, to discuss the commercialisation of research to strengthen Australia’s sovereign defence capabilities. The pair then discuss key focus areas for the Defence Trailblazer and their achievements to date, before examining some challenges they’ve faced along the way. The podcast will then showcase a live discussion from ADSTAR on accelerating innovation, featuring: Karl Hanmore, first assistant director-general mission capability and chief technology officer at the Australian Signals Directorate. Dr Rick Muller, director of the US’ Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity. Jay Dryer, director of the US’ Strategic Capabilities Office. Professor Emily Hilder, head of the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator. Dr Sanjay Mazumdar, executive director of the Defence Trailblazer. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

Nov 4, 2024 • 49min
CYBER UNCUT: More cyber security platforms won’t necessarily keep you safe, with Check Point’s Sadiq Iqbal
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Sadiq Iqbal, sales engineering lead and evangelist, office of the CTO at Check Point Software, joins host Liam Garman to discuss platformisation in cyber security and the importance of interoperability for cyber security tools. The pair begin the podcast by looking at recent developments in cyber security and why businesses continue to be breached despite the wide range of cyber security solutions available today. They then examine how to ensure that third-party tools can collaborate to provide holistic security and how Check Point’s Infinity platform can keep users safe. They wrap up the podcast by discussing how Infinity can ensure regulatory compliance and how Check Point has been able to leverage lessons from its reverse engineering department to support clients. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team

Oct 31, 2024 • 1h 36min
SPOTLIGHT: Pitching to Defence, with Professor Emily Hilder and Dan Bennett
In this special ADSTAR series of the podcast, Defence Connect partnered with Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) to shine a spotlight on the groundbreaking research undertaken by industry and academia in collaboration with Defence. In this episode, Defence Connect editor Liam Garman sits down with Professor Emily Hilder, Head of Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA), and Dan Bennett, co-founder of Salus Ventures, to provide invaluable advice to start-ups and small businesses on how they can make a difference in the world of defence and dual-use technologies. The podcast then showcases the ASCA Pitch Day presentations as recorded live from the conference. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

Oct 31, 2024 • 45min
Contested battlespace, with former prime minister Scott Morrison
In this episode of the Defence Connect podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by returning guest, former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison. Morrison, non-executive vice chairman of American Global Strategies, has recently announced a new role as chairman of Space Centre Australia, a planned spaceport in far north Queensland. He has also recently concluded a lecture at the Yomiuri International Economic Society in Tokyo in September. The pair discuss: The Australian government’s priorities for space policy and support of the domestic space industry, and comparisons to the current defence industry outlook. The sudden blooming of interest in space innovation and its increasingly contested environment between international players. The AUKUS and QUAD alliances in regard to the Indo-Pacific. The upcoming US presidential election on 5 November and forecasts for Australian policy under a Republican or Democratic victory. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

Oct 30, 2024 • 58min
SPOTLIGHT: The Innovation, Science and Technology Strategy, with Professor Tanya Monro
In this special ADSTAR series of the podcast, Defence Connect partners with the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) to shine a spotlight on the groundbreaking research undertaken by industry and academia in collaboration with Defence. In this episode, Defence Connect editor Liam Garman sits down with Professor Tanya Monro, Australia’s Chief Defence Scientist and head of the DSTG, to unpack the Innovation, Science and Technology Strategy which lays out a 10-year vision for the Defence IS&T ecosystem. Following the interview, we share Professor Monro’s discussion with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles on why the strategy is critical for Australia’s national security. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

Oct 28, 2024 • 22min
Rodney Cottam’s 560km run to support veterans
In this episode of the Defence Connect podcast, Liam Garman sits down with Rodney Cottam to discuss his work with Invictus Australia and his 560-kilometre run in seven days. The pair unpack Cottam’s military service and injury which left him with brachial plexus palsy. They then discuss the support offered to Australia’s veteran community by Invictus. Cottam wraps up unpacking his approach to resilience and veteran wellbeing. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team