The Cove Podcast
The Cove
The Cove Podcast brings you candid, unfiltered conversations with the leaders, soldiers, and scholars shaping the Australian Army today. Each week, our host CAPT Todd Lempa sits down with uniformed officers and soldiers leading the change in the Australian Army as well as academics and international partners to unpack what modern warfare demands.
From redefining leadership and resilience in the modern Army to exploring lessons from combat operations, command culture, human performance, and the future of land power, The Cove Podcast reveals how the Australian Army thinks, learns, and fights. Whether it’s a Regimental Sergeant Major reflecting on combat, a general discussing Warrior Culture, or a psychologist unpacking mental readiness—each episode delivers a grounded look at the people and ideas driving the Australian Army forward.
Insightful, grounded, and authentic — this is where the Australian Army thinks out loud.
From redefining leadership and resilience in the modern Army to exploring lessons from combat operations, command culture, human performance, and the future of land power, The Cove Podcast reveals how the Australian Army thinks, learns, and fights. Whether it’s a Regimental Sergeant Major reflecting on combat, a general discussing Warrior Culture, or a psychologist unpacking mental readiness—each episode delivers a grounded look at the people and ideas driving the Australian Army forward.
Insightful, grounded, and authentic — this is where the Australian Army thinks out loud.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 17, 2016 • 15min
Episode 13 - Exercise Hamel - Colonel Damian Hill
How does the Australian Army evaluate the training it conducts on major exercises such as Exercise Hamel? Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare discusses this question, and others, with the commander of the Combat Training Centre, Colonel Damian Hill.
Sep 10, 2016 • 13min
Episode 12 - Training - Warrant Officer Don Spinks, OAM
How does the Australian Army train the modern soldier? Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare discusses this question, and others, with the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Australian Army, Warrant Officer Don Spinks, OAM.
Sep 3, 2016 • 14min
Episode 11 - Innovation - MAJGEN Fergus (Gus) McLachlan
How does the Australian Army keep up with the latest technological developments? What are the key drivers for modernisation? How is an innovative idea integrated into the routine training of soldiers? How is a good idea turned into a battlefield ready piece of equipment? Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare discusses these concepts and more with the Head of Modernisation and Strategic Planning - Army, Major General Fergus (Gus) McLachlan, AM.
Aug 9, 2016 • 12min
Episode 10 - Exercise Hamel - Battle Group Jacka
How do the men and women of the Army Reserve integrate into the Regular Army? How do they benefit from their role as citizen soldier? Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare chats with Signaller Candice Hickey, Private Chris Hart. and Lieutenant Lachlan Poppins about their time serving in Battle Group Jacka.
Aug 8, 2016 • 10min
Episode 9 - Exercise Hamel - MAJGEN Paul McLachlan
In this episode Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews the commander of Headquarters 1st Division and the Deployable Joint Force Headquarters, Major General Paul McLachlan. What is a Deployable Joint Force Headquarters and how does it train to meets its diverse operational tasks? Major General McLachlan provides an insight into the modern Divisional Headquarters.
Aug 7, 2016 • 11min
Episode 8 - Exercise Hamel - Military Police
In this episode Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews two members of the Australian Army Military Police, Lieutenant Megan Pate and Corporal Cassie Radunz. What do Military Police do in the field and what sort of training do they receive? They discuss their role in the field on Exercise Hamel.
Aug 6, 2016 • 9min
Episode 7 - Exercise Hamel - Captain Louis Clun
In this episode Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews an Australian Army Chaplain, Captain Louis Clun. Chaplain Clun deployed on exercise Hamel to provide pastoral support to the men and women deployed to Cultana. What is it like to provide this type of support in the field environment? What training is involved for a chaplain to ensure they are able to provide this support when needed? Chaplain Clun explains his role on exercise Hamel.
Jul 5, 2016 • 15min
Episode 6 - Exercise Hamel - Bombardier Lachlan Skaines
In this episode Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews Bombardier Lachlan Skaines, an Australian Army Artillery Command Systems Operator. Bombardier Skaines is deployed on exercise Hamel and is providing simulation support within the Exercise Control headquarters. What if you are unsuccessful in the recruitment process? What does the modern, digital army look like, and what career paths are open to members of the Australian Army? Bombardier Skaines talks about his career so far, including dealing with rejection in the recruitment process, his current role and his future aspirations to become a helicopter pilot.
Jul 4, 2016 • 13min
Episode 5 - Exercise Hamel - Captain Karmen Sampson
In this episode Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews an Australian Army Physiotherapist, Captain Karmen Sampson. Captain Sampson is deployed on exercise Hamel and provides physiotherapy support to the men and women of the 1st Brigade. What is it like to provide this type of support in the field environment and how do they train to ensure they are able to provide this support when needed? Captain Sampson explains her role on exercise Hamel.
Jul 3, 2016 • 12min
Episode 4 - Exercise Hamel - Lieutenant Colonel Tom Biedermann
In this episode Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews the Commanding Officer of the reserve battle group, Lieutenant Colonel Tom Biedermann. This unit, Battle Group Jacka, is comprised of regular and reserve soldiers from the 4th and 9th Brigades. What are the challenges of training a reserve force to support a regular combat brigade? Lieutenant Colonel Biedermann explains the unique challenges facing Battle Group Jacka as it supports the 1st Brigade on Exercise Hamel.
