
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

Sep 5, 2022 • 36min
CYBER SECURITY UNCUT: Active defence in business and the latest cyber security trends
In this episode of the Cyber Security Uncut podcast, hosts Major General (Ret’d) Marcus Thompson and Phil Tarrant unpack the latest trends in the cyber security industry, from victimology through to corporate active defence capabilities. The pair begin the podcast discussing current trends in the cyber security industry, with Dr Thompson unpacking the concerns from leading chief information security officers (CISOs) across Australia. The podcast then continues with a deep dive into the industry’s most important news stories, including the role of cyber attacks in modern warfare, business-led offensive cyber operations, and attacks on university infrastructure. The pair wrap up the podcast with an analysis into current victimology trends arising due to global political volatility. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Security Uncut team

Sep 1, 2022 • 35min
Automating defence tenders and talent sourcing, with Tim Walmsley
In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, the founder and chief executive officer of BenchOn, Tim Walmsley, joins host Liam Garman to discuss workforce optimisation and SME integration in Australia’s defence industry. The pair begin the podcast discussing the BenchOn platform, which allows businesses to automate tender identification and talent sourcing. The podcast then continues unpacking several case studies, including BenchOn’s recent portal for the Queensland government’sDepartment of Transport and Main Roads as well as several leading primes. The pair wrap up the podcast discussing BenchOn’supcoming “Meet the Primes”program at Land Forces 2022, facilitating introductions between Australia’s SMEs and large prime contractors. More information on the program can be found here Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

Aug 25, 2022 • 37min
The making of Anduril Australia, with David Goodrich OAM
In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, executive chairman and chief executive officer of Anduril Australia David Goodrich OAM joins host Liam Garman to discuss the company’s expansion into the Australian market. The podcast begins by discussing the origin of Anduril Industries, its Lattice OS and its XL-AUV partnership with the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) and Royal Australian Navy. The pair then discuss the team behind Anduril, including founder Palmer Luckey, who previously founded Oculus Rift which was acquired by Facebook, and chief engineer Dr Shane Arnott. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

Aug 22, 2022 • 43min
CYBER SECURITY UNCUT: Strengthening ICS/OT resilience against ransomware, with Dr Tom Winston
In this episode of the Cyber Security Uncut podcast, Dr Tom Winston, director of intelligence content at Dragos joins host Liam Garman to discuss the latest ransomware trends in the ICS/OT market and how companies can better build risk assessments to protect their businesses. The podcast begins with a discussion regarding Dr Winston’s risk assessment white paper, and how to enhance communication between IT and OT systems to improve resilience against ransomware. The pair then discuss the Dragos platform and how it helps protect OT from ransomware groups. The podcast then continues with an analysis into recent victimology trends within the cyber security industry, including new and emerging threat actors. Dragos’ latest insight into ransomware as part of the Cyber Security Connect Ransomware Week can be found here, and Dr Winston’s analysis risk assessment white paper can be found here. The recent Cyber Security Uncut episode with Conor McLaren, senior threat intelligence analyst at Dragos, can be found here. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Security Uncut team

Aug 18, 2022 • 45min
Walking the Western Front, with Dr Will Davies
In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, author and historian Dr Will Davies joins host Phil Tarrant to discuss battlefield tours on the Western Front. The podcast begins by discussing Dr Davies’ entry into writing WWI history and battlefield touring, providing recommendations on ideal ways to tour the battlefields. The pair then discuss Dr Davies’ research into WWI battlefield combatants, explaining that by examining war records, the historian can determine where family members were located on major battlefields. Dr Davies then recommends essential background reading before visiting the Western Front. Finally, the pair discuss the most important places for Australians to tour on the Western Front. Dr Davies’ publications include: Somme Mud (by E Lynch, edited by Dr Will Davies), Beneath Hill 60, The Last 100 Days, and The Forgotten. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

Aug 11, 2022 • 33min
Remembering the fall of Kabul, with Fred Smith
In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) diplomat and folk singer Fred Smith joins host Liam Garman to reflect on Australia’s 20-year commitment to Afghanistan and last year’s humanitarian mission at Kabul International Airport. The pair begin the podcast discussing Smith’s background, and how he came to use music as a tool to bring communities together as a diplomat in DFAT. The podcast continues by reflecting on Smith’s time as the first Australian civilian to be posted to Uruzgan province in Afghanistan, and his subsequent Dust of Uruzgan album which tells the story of Australian service in the region. Smith also talks about his current cross-country tour “Sparrows of Kabul”, honouring the first anniversary of the fall of Kabul and Australia’s commitment to Afghanistan. The pair then discuss his upcoming Townsville show along with the 1RAR band, commemorating the Battalion’s commitment to Afghanistan over the last 20 years. To read more about Smith’s tour, click here.

Aug 7, 2022 • 42min
CYBER SECURITY UNCUT: Building an active cyber defence, with Adam McCarthy, CEO of ParaFlare
In this episode of the Cyber Security Uncut podcast, hosts Major General (Ret’d) Marcus Thomspon and Phil Tarrant are joined by Adam McCarthy, CEO of ParaFlare. The podcast unpacks the genesis of ParaFlare, and how McCarthy’s lessons as a signaller in the military helped build the foundations of the company. The trio discuss the core offerings of the company including active cyber defence – or more simply, “catching hackers”! McCarthy then outlines the importance of active cyber defence and passive preventative controls, and ParaFlare’s proven success in identifying and responding to threats. McCarthy then provides a vulnerability assessment of Australian businesses, from ASX-listed companies to SMEs. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Security Uncut team

Aug 4, 2022 • 26min
The Defence Strategic Review, shaping the future ADF
This episode of the Defence Connect Podcast examines the Albanese government’s recently unveiled Defence Strategic Review. The podcast begins unpacking the latest news and updates from defence industry, including Raytheon’s contract for F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler services, Defence’s commitment to keep flying the F-35A and Leidos’ acquisition of a special mission business unit from Cobham Limited. The hosts continue with an analysis into the Albanese government’s recent decision to host a Defence Strategic Review, analysing future acquisition programs and force structure. The podcast wraps up by analysing recent opposition to the Albanese government’s proposed review. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team

Jul 28, 2022 • 49min
Readying Australia for the nuclear submarine revolution
In this episode of the Defence Connect podcast, former naval officer and defence industry analyst Chris Skinner joins host Liam Garman to unpack the great submarine debate as Australia continues on the path to acquiring nuclear submarine capabilities. The pair begin the podcast examining why Australian industry capability must be factored into the submarine task force’s scope of research. The podcast continues with a discussion around the Virginia and Astute Classes, and some potential strategies to expedite the acquisition of Australian nuclear submarine capabilities. The pair wrap up the podcast with an analysis of crewed versus uncrewed systems, and how this will shape the future of the battlefield. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

Jul 25, 2022 • 40min
CYBER SECURITY UNCUT: Cyber security impacts every Australian
In this episode of the Cyber Security Uncut podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant and MAJGEN (Ret’d) Marcus Thompson unpack the latest events in cyber security within Australia and beyond. The podcast begins with an analysis of the impact of recent Commonwealth cyber security legislation and regulation on small businesses; It continues with an examination into the nexus between business and security, assessing Microsoft’s recent report on cyber operations since the invasion of Ukraine; The pair then continue discussing the latest news from the cyber world, including the confirmation that Chinese employees can access TikTok user’s data as well as the recent Deakin University attack; The podcast wraps up with a discussion of the ACCC’s plan to stop malicious actors targeting Australians, as well as the recent investment boosts to national security projects. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Security Uncut team