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Contested Ground

Momentum Media
Australia
Ukraine
China
Russia
United States
Cybersecurity
Cyber Warfare
Aukus
Iran
Geopolitics
Misinformation Bill
Military Strategy
Israel
NATO
Grey Zone Warfare
Australian Cyber Security Center
Australia's Economy
National Security
Panama Canal
Deepseek

Contested Ground exposes the complex and murky world of greyzone warfare, and how state and non-state actors vie for influence beneath the threshold of armed conflict. In our interconnected and globalised world, new opportunities have emerged for states to advance their interests within the global system. From cyber operations to disinformation campaigns, and from economic coercion to food securit... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes57Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentBusiness

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Artwork for Contested Ground

Latest Episodes

We are consistently reminded that Australia is a maritime trading nation and, as such, is exposed to all the vulnerabilities. So why haven't we prepared accordingly? As the ceasefire in the Middle East collapses and both sides begin to once again ram... more

The war in the Middle East has served to reveal the now metastising vulnerabilities that permeate Australia's economic, political and strategic ecosystems, leaving the nation and its interests exposed. Australians are increasingly getting the sense t... more

Australia has long prided itself on being the "Lucky Country", celebrating a culture of "she'll be right" now that a national culture of apathy is biting at home as the world continues to burn.

As the war in the Middle East continues to rage by the... more

In this episode of the Contested Ground Podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant, Steve Kuper and Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson unpack the concept of sovereign industrial capability and its growing importance amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle Eas... more

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Recent Guests

Tom Panos
Real estate commentator and News Corp columnist
Real estate media
Episode: From Tehran to Sydney – why war could reshape Australian property
Keith Bulfin
Financial forensics expert and former banking/forensics professional
Monitors Foundation / former FBI liaison
Episode: The intersection of finance, organised crime, terrorism and foreign interference with Keith Bulfin
John Blackburn AO
Former Vice Chief of Defence, retired Air Vice Marshal; thinker behind Institute for Integrated Economic Research (Australia)
Institute for Integrated Economic Research
Episode: The fragility of Australia's energy ecosystem, with AVM (Ret'd) John Blackburn AO
Marcus Thompson
Dr Marcus Thompson, Major General Retired
ASPE/Defense context
Episode: Australia faces fallout closer to home as Iran continues to fight back
Steve Kuper
Colleague at Momentum Media
Momentum Media
Episode: Australia faces fallout closer to home as Iran continues to fight back
Andrew Henderson
Strategic consultant and senior fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute
Agsecure
Episode: We're no longer in a BAU world, with Andrew Henderson, Agsecure
Tim Knight
Author of Gallipoli Soup, a war story exploring statecraft and sacrifice
Episode: A sit down with Tim Knight, author of Gallipoli Soup
Alison Cusack
Founder and principal lawyer of Cusack & Co., known as The Shipping Lawyer
Cusack & Co.
Episode: What Trump's Panama Canal comments mean for maritime law
Shane Oliver
Chief Economist at AMP
AMP
Episode: The intersection of national security and Australia's declining economic performance

Hosts

Phil Tarrant
Host of Contested Ground
Marcus Thompson
Co-host, senior defense/strategic analyst with military background
Steve Kuper
Co-host and media/industry commentator

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 14 ratings
  • Topical

    Great podcast. Keep them coming.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kurt Billson
    Australiaa year ago
  • Smart

    This is a really sensible and smart idea this podcast. Great that some informed people are willing and able to have these discussions in a measured and practical way. You’ve made a great start. More guests please. Keep the commentary real.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    drsmith78
    Australia2 years ago
  • Long time listener

    I’ve been listening to Phil and Marcus for some time now. V informative, great chemistry, excited for this timely new podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lan0lin
    Australia2 years ago
  • They can’t do wrong!

    One listen and I’m already hooked. Been a listener of the Defence Connect and Cyber Uncut podcasts for a while and they’re excellent, so of course this was always going to be great!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Will Magee
    Australia2 years ago
  • On point

    Perfect timing for this; well observed and mature to acknowledge the current state of play for Australia. Look forward to future episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gillytel3434
    Australia2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

High-quality guests and grounded analysis; requests for more diverse guests.
Thoughtful, well-informed discussions with practical takeaways for policy and business.
Chemistry between hosts enhances clarity and depth of analysis.
Listeners praise timely, real-world relevance and clear connections to national security.
Content is timely and mature, reflecting current geopolitical dynamics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#116
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#97
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#245
Germany/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The intersection of finance, organised crime, terrorism and foreign interference with Keith Bulfin
Q: Not a problem. Mate, for those who aren't familiar with you, do you want to just give us a little bit of a career rundown?
Keith outlines a career in moving money globally, including senior roles related to banking, his work with criminal cartels, the FBI, and intelligence work in the Middle East, focusing on militias, human trafficking, and Iran-related activities, and emphasises the scale of illegal money tied to these activities.
We're no longer in a BAU world, with Andrew Henderson, Agsecure
Q: Is this being taken seriously at Australia's highest levels? Is there any strategy in place to ensure that Australia's productive capacity remains in the event of a large scale conflict in the Indo-Pacific?
It is beginning to be taken seriously, and I think that's why I'm excited about this MIU and what it means, because it should signal to senior decision makers that agriculture needs elevation in national security discussions.
US National Defense Strategy, deterrence by denial and the limits of alliance dependency
Q: What does greater autonomy look like in terms of the capabilities that we might have previously relied on the US to bring?
Greater autonomy could involve establishing a local shipbuilding industry that not only builds ships for the Australian Navy but can sustain all allied navies in wartime, developing local aerospace capabilities, and enhancing autonomous systems to rely less on US production.
US National Defense Strategy, deterrence by denial and the limits of alliance dependency
Q: How does the government go about having this conversation with the Australian people, particularly given cost of living challenges?
According to Marcus, the government needs to engage with honesty and persistence, emphasizing the strategic challenges Australia faces and the need for increased defense spending, especially in light of the current socio-economic environment.
A sit down with Tim Knight, author of Gallipoli Soup
Q: What did you want your audience to take away from the book?
I wanted people to reflect on historical decisions and how they often repeat mistakes through conflict that could be avoided.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Contested Ground

What is Contested Ground about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A geopolitics-leaning show analyzing how state and non-state actors operate below the threshold of formal warfare. Episodes frequently cover sovereign industrial capability, energy resilience, cyber and information warfare, finance and crime networks, and the domestic implications of global conflicts. Guests range from defense officials and strategic policy thinkers to journalists and industry experts, offering practical takes on national security, resilience, and policy responses. The format often combines rigorous analysis with on-the-ground perspectives, making it valuable for professionals seeking insights into Australia's security posture, supply chains, and critical infrastructure amid geopolitical tensions.

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How many subscribers and views does Contested Ground have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Contested Ground?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Contested Ground:

1. Defence & Security Podcast Network
2. Cyber Uncut
3. Australia in the World
4. Property Investment Podcast Network
5. The Asia Chessboard

How many episodes of Contested Ground are there?

Contested Ground launched 2 years ago and published 57 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Contested Ground?

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What guests have appeared on Contested Ground?

Recent guests on Contested Ground include:

1. Tom Panos
2. Keith Bulfin
3. John Blackburn AO
4. Marcus Thompson
5. Steve Kuper
6. Andrew Henderson
7. Tim Knight
8. Alison Cusack

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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