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The Cove Podcast

The Cove
Australian Army
Special Operations Command
Australian Defence Force
World War II
Mental Preparation
Future Warfare
Leadership
Selection Process
Decision-Making
Planning Process
Russia-Ukraine War
Military Strategy
Professional Military Education
Logistics
Ukraine
Talisman Sabre
Ethics
Research On Selection Impact
Civil-Military Relations
Russia-Ukraine Conflict

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 mo... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes328Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryEducationSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Cove Podcast

Latest Episodes

In this episode of The Cove Podcast, host John Hardgrave speaks with Sean O’Gorman, founder of the Strong Life Project and a former police dog handler who spent more than a decade on the front line of policing. After leaving the force while battling ... more

In this episode of The Cove Podcast, we unpack the reality of a posting to the Defence Cooperation Programme in Papua New Guinea. Joined by Warrant Officer Dathan Rolfe, we explore what it means to operate in an environment where influence matters mo... more

YouTube

In this episode of The Cove Podcast, John Hardgrave sits down with a former Canadian Army Colonel who traded snow boots for a slouch hat and brought 26 years of coalition experience with him.

From early service in the reserves as a bagpiper to deplo... more

YouTube

In this episode, we sit down with Sergeant John Welfare, winner of the 2025 Chief of Army Essay Competition and Chauvel Prize, to unpack his argument that the Australian Army must undergo a professional transformation if it is to remain relevant with... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Dathan Rolfe
Warrant Officer, Ops Warrant Officer in PNG DCP posting
Australian Army
Episode: Advising, Not Commanding: Inside ADFs PNG Defence Cooperation Programme with WO2 Dathan Rolfe
Devon Matsalla
Retired Colonel of the Canadian Army, now serving in the Australian Army
Australian Army; Canadian Army
Episode: From Snow to Slouch Hat, Transitioning Between Two Armies with LTCOL Devon Matsalla
John Welfare
Sergeant, Australian Army MP; essay winner and guest on the episode
Australian Army
Episode: Mission Culture: Rethinking Army as a Profession with SGT John Wellfare
Major General Stephen Day
DSC AM, author of the ADF Leadership Doctrine
Australian Defence Force
Episode: Principles of leadership for 10 or 10,000 with MAJ GEN Stephen Day DSC AM
CAPT Tom Gash
Founder of the Drone Racing Association
Drone Racing Association
Episode: The Rise of Drone Racing in Defence - CAPT Tom Gash and LCPL Chris Quaill
LCPL Chris Quaill
Drone racing participant and enthusiast
Army
Episode: The Rise of Drone Racing in Defence - CAPT Tom Gash and LCPL Chris Quaill
William McGovern
WO2 from 2nd 14th Regiment
Episode: Fighting in the Arctic: America's Arctic Angels - WO2 William McGovern and SGT Nathan Groen
Nathan Groen
SGT from 1 RAR
Episode: Fighting in the Arctic: America's Arctic Angels - WO2 William McGovern and SGT Nathan Groen
Tavis Nicholson
Warrant Officer Class 2 and Physical Training Instructor at the Royal Military College Duntroon
Royal Australian Army
Episode: One Size Does Not Fit All – WO2 Tavis Nicholson

Hosts

John Hardgrave
Host of The Cove Podcast; public affairs/defense communications background with Australian Army affiliation.
Captain Todd Lempa
Host and regular contributor; senior officer with focus on leadership, doctrine, and modern Army topics.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 72 ratings
  • No analysis

    Simply offering one side the chance to promote their own speaking points isn’t analysis. Really poor.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    >>l
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • A blatant (poor) copy of ‘The Spear’

    A typical Australian Army copy of something the US has already done. Not honest in its interest (look at the fact that nothing is negative), unlike its US counterpart that is balanced and nuanced. This is propaganda disguised in a Pod Cast for people who cannot think for themselves.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Zoolander789
    Australiaa year ago
  • Great pro dev tool

    The team at the Cove have done a really good job at getting this up and running. Great episodes that provide another mechanism for Army soldiers and officers to conduct pro dev. It would be great to see them collaborate with our like podcasts to maintain consistent episodes rolling out. Things like war for idiots or the principles of war are collaboration opportunities.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Marto woo
    Australia4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some critiques note a pro‑military bias and focus on defense topics over broader civilian perspectives.
Listeners appreciate the practical leadership insights and real‑world lessons from senior officers.
A few reviews mention perceived bias and lack of critical balance in some episodes.
Quality of guests and discussions on drone tech and AI are frequently highlighted as strengths.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#228
Australia/Education

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Advising, Not Commanding: Inside ADFs PNG Defence Cooperation Programme with WO2 Dathan Rolfe
Q: What were the main challenges you anticipated or faced in this posting?
Navigating tri-service expectations, learning PNG-specific policy and financial delegations, and adapting to cultural and logistical realities while maintaining strong partner relationships.
Advising, Not Commanding: Inside ADFs PNG Defence Cooperation Programme with WO2 Dathan Rolfe
Q: What makes you competitive for the role and across the board for overseas postings?
A combination of prior leadership, remote posting experience, and a track record of community engagement and collaboration with PNGDF personnel; importantly, demonstrating readiness to manage complex budgets and multi-service coordination.
From Snow to Slouch Hat, Transitioning Between Two Armies with LTCOL Devon Matsalla
Q: What are the practical implications of Canada's and Australia's different recruitment models for cross-national operations?
Australia's overseas lateral transfer scheme allows bringing in fully formed operational soldiers from around the world, which is highly effective for rapid capability infusion, while Canada relies more on internal development and passive recruitment, shaping different approaches to building multinational readiness.
From Snow to Slouch Hat, Transitioning Between Two Armies with LTCOL Devon Matsalla
Q: How does bilingualism shape your experience in the Canadian Army and its interaction with international partners?
Bilingualism is a mandatory requirement for progression in Canada, which creates a significant advantage for international collaboration and leadership roles, enabling better interaction with French-speaking partners and broadening the pool of potential coalition partners.
From Snow to Slouch Hat, Transitioning Between Two Armies with LTCOL Devon Matsalla
Q: Can you describe what surprised you most when you started serving in the Australian Army compared to Canada?
The first big surprise was donning the slouch hat and realizing how deeply the Australian military's identity is tied to its traditional headgear and culture; it was a clear signal that the organizational culture and daily practices differ in meaningful ways, not just in procedures.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Cove Podcast

What is The Cove Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show features candid conversations with military leaders, soldiers, and scholars shaping the Australian Army today. Across episodes, listeners hear about leadership development, professionalization within the army, resilience, human performance, and the impact of technology—ranging from drone operations to counterintelligence and civil‑military relations. A notable thread is the emphasis on practical lessons from real deployments and high‑stakes decision making, blended with discussions on culture, planning processes, and the future of land power. The format often centers on first‑hand leadership experience, policy implications, and the intersection of military practice with broader strategic and ethical questions. This mix makes it use... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Cove Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Cove Podcast:

1. The National Security Podcast
2. Zero Limits Podcast
3. 2 Worlds Collide Podcast
4. The Front
5. Straight Talk with Mark Bouris

How many episodes of The Cove Podcast are there?

The Cove Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 328 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Cove Podcast?

Recent guests on The Cove Podcast include:

1. Dathan Rolfe
2. Devon Matsalla
3. John Welfare
4. Major General Stephen Day
5. CAPT Tom Gash
6. LCPL Chris Quaill
7. William McGovern
8. Nathan Groen

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