The Cove Podcast

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.

The Cove Podcast is a education podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 195 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts The Cove Podcast, a education show with 195 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  The Cove Podcast

  The Drone-Enabled Battlefield: Army’s RAS Revolution with CAPT Andy Dunn-Lobban, Remote and Autonomous Systems Cell

  Sep 20, 20261h 4m

  Captain Andrew Dunn-Lobban from the Land Combat College’s Remote and Autonomous Systems Cell joins The Cove to explore how drones and robotic systems are changing land warfare. Drawing on lessons from Ukraine and Army’s own experimentation, we discuss the emerging Drone Combat System, new training pathways, how drone teams may operate across the force, and what soldiers and junior commanders need to understand about fighting in an increasingly RAS-enabled battlespace.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #15

  From Oxford to the Australian Army: Rethinking Officer Recruitment with LT Oliver Douglas

  Sep 6, 202651 minS7

  Lieutenant Oliver Douglas talks with John Hardgrave on The Cove Podcast to discuss his experience serving with the Oxford University Officers’ Training Corps while studying as a Rhodes Scholar. Drawing on his time inside both the Australian and British Army systems, he explores the cultural differences between the two forces and explains how the British UOTC model gives young people a rapid, low-commitment introduction to military service. The episode considers whether a similar approach could strengthen Army recruitment, officer development and public understanding of service in Australia

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #14

  Bringing Them Home: The Search for Australia’s Missing Soldiers with Dr Aaron Pegram and Maj Craig Foreman

  Aug 23, 20261h 5mS7

  In this episode of The Cove Podcast, John Hardgrave talks with Dr Aaron Pegram and Major Craig Foreman from Unrecovered War Casualties – Army explain the painstaking work involved in locating, recovering and identifying Australia’s missing service personnel. They discuss the historical research, forensic science and investigative expertise behind each case, before taking listeners inside the recent search in Korea for Corporal William Murphy, who has remained missing since the Battle of Kapyong in 1951.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #13

  From Soldier to Psychiatrist: Military Identity, Culture, and Transition with DR Jon Lane

  Aug 9, 20261h 11mS7

  In this episode of The Cove Podcast, host John Hardgrave sits down with Jonathan Lane—a veteran, psychiatrist, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ first Chief Psychiatrist—to unpack the powerful intersection of military culture, identity, and mental health. Jon shares his unconventional journey from infantry soldier to senior clinician, including operational deployments and frontline experience in military psychiatry. The conversation explores how cultural conditioning in Defence shapes behaviour, identity, and purpose—and why this becomes critical during transition to civilian life. Drawing on both clinical expertise and lived experience, Jon highlights the gaps in traditional mental health approaches for veterans, the importance of peer-led models, and the role of shared experience in recovery. This episode offers a grounded, insider perspective on why understanding military culture is essential to supporting those who serve, both during and after their time in uniform.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #10

  The Soldier: Purpose, Profession and the Reality of War with MAJGEN Chris Smith, DCA

  Jun 28, 202653 minS7

  In this episode of The Cove Podcast, host John Hardgrave is joined by the Deputy Chief of Army to discuss The Soldier, Army’s new publication on the purpose and identity of the Australian soldier. The conversation examines why the publication was written now, what it says about Army’s core purpose, and why soldiers must be prepared honestly for the realities of war, violence, lawful killing, fear, fatigue, discipline and service. It also explores the distinction between being a soldier and a warrior, and the enduring importance of identity and belonging.

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on The Cove Podcast. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.