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Artwork for The National Security Podcast

The National Security Podcast

ANU National Security College
Australia
National Security
China
United States
Indo-Pacific
Climate Change
Russia
Artificial Intelligence
AUKUS
Misinformation
Ukraine
Human Rights
NATO
ASEAN
Democracy
Indian Ocean
Disinformation
Social Media
India
Southeast Asia

Expert analysis, insights and opinion on the national security challenges facing Australia and the Indo-Pacific.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes298Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentNewsPolitics

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Artwork for The National Security Podcast

Latest Episodes

How do we balance effective national security laws with protecting individual rights and democratic freedoms?

Where is the line between legitimate foreign influence and foreign interference?

How well do Australia’s espionage laws protect journali... more

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How do ports sustain Australia’s economy, border security and defence preparedness?

What are the biggest strategic challenges facing Australian ports?

What role do ports play in combating organised crime and protecting Australia’s borders?

What pa... more

YouTube

Can Australia reframe water as a national security issue, rather than only an environmental or social policy concern?  

Can Australia realistically pursue both AI leadership and sustainable water management? 

What happens when drought, climate cha... more

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How is health connected to national security?

What role should the military play in health security – and where are the limits?

How can Australia improve coordination across agencies before the next crisis arrives?

In this episode, Sharryn Parke... more

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Recent Guests

Mike Gallacher
Port Australia Chief Executive Officer
Port Australia
Episode: The maritime gateway: ports and border security
Michael Outram
Border Security Expert and Distinguished Advisor at the National Security College
Australian National University
Episode: The maritime gateway: ports and border security
Jason Alexandra
Dr Jason Alexandra, ANU National Security College researcher and expert on water security
Australian National University
Episode: How thirsty is AI? Competing for Australia's most strategic resource
Matthew Coulton
Matthew Coulton, climate risk and water policy expert
WSP in Australia (formerly Bureau of Meteorology)
Episode: How thirsty is AI? Competing for Australia's most strategic resource
Esperanza Martinez
Dr. Martinez work focuses on health and human security as a core component of national and global stability
ANU National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health
Episode: Is Australia ready for the next pathogen threat?
Nicholas Thomson
Dr. Thomson brings expertise on integrating public health into security systems
ANU School of Pacific Security
Episode: Is Australia ready for the next pathogen threat?
Jen Parker
Defence expert; adjunct professor at the University of Western Australia; associate at ANU National Security College
ANU National Security College; University of Western Australia
Episode: AUKUS at five: facts and fears
Peter Dean
Professor at the ANU
ANU National Security College
Episode: AUKUS at five: facts and fears
Elise Stephenson
Dr Elise Stephenson, Global Institute of Women's Leadership, Australian National University
Australian National University
Episode: Security, power and the perspectives we miss

Hosts

Sharryn Parker
Host of The National Security Podcast
Sally Bulkeley
Host of The National Security Podcast

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 193 ratings
  • Sad

    The podcast ‘classifying misogyny as extremism’ . Listening to these 4 women create arguments to restrict freedom is chilling. No wonder there is a backlash against feminism. It appears they can never be happy. Academics with little worldly experience. Humans are unjust, unreasonable and life is unfair. Sad? Yes! Reality? yes! Govt overreach is never the answer.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Anthony Marich
    Australiaa year ago
  • Sound Quality is Poor

    I’m not sure if the host has a speech impediment or if the mixing of this podcast is over emphasising bass (or both) or the recording of the podcast is occurring too close to the microphone, but whatever is going on it’s difficult to get past listening to the poor production quality. It detracts from wanting to listen to potentially good content.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    NatahliaB
    Australia2 years ago
  • A national security podcast about anything but

    This podcast ought to devote more bandwidth to core matters of national security.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    hugefitzpatrick
    Australia2 years ago
  • Great range of topics

    This is a great podcast covering a wide range of topics crucial for the national security conversation in and around Australia. The episodes could be shorter, but the conversation points are fantastic and would make a great resource for any student or young policymaker.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TeeRex_Dino
    Australia2 years ago
  • Often Misleading Podcast Titles

    I really wanted to listen the this podcast in-depth but every time I downloaded episodes it was full of woke agendas and discussion if this is what The National University is teaching Australia’s Brightest we are in trouble. It’s a woke agenda podcast rather than intelligent discussion on security, intelligence and National issues facing Australia from the ANU

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    BandidoK
    Australia3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

High-level discussions that are deeply informed by researchers and practitioners, though production quality opinions vary.
Essential listening for understanding Australia's security posture and regional dynamics.
Great range of topics with thoughtful guests; a solid resource for policy students and practitioners.
Thoughtful, rigorous, and anchored in real-world governance and policy.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#205
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#2
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#190
France/Government
Apple Podcasts
#218
Germany/Government
Apple Podcasts
#225
Italy/Government
Apple Podcasts
#10
Philippines/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Truth, trust and the algorithm: can democracy keep up?
Q: And if you had one hour with an Australian teenager to discuss media literacy, what would you teach them?
Explain the three core areas of media literacy: how to critically question media, understand media environments, and the ability to access, analyze, and create media, with an emphasis on asking who created information and why, verifying claims, and recognizing vested interests.
2026 National Defence Strategy: evolution, not revolution
Q: What's changed between the 2024 National Defence Strategy and the 2026 Defence Strategy?
There have been some small, technical changes but overall the trajectory is evolutionary; the big picture remains consistent, with a shift toward more detail on whole-of-government inputs and a continued focus on adapting to evolving strategic realities.
No worries? What Australians think about security, risk and resilience
Q: What is the role of industry and how should government respond to preparedness gaps identified by the public?
Industry has a role to play as a frontline partner, but the report emphasizes it as a resource for government rather than a directive to take specific actions; there is a need for national conversations on preparedness and for coordinated, cross-government efforts to improve media literacy and resilience.
No worries? What Australians think about security, risk and resilience
Q: If policy makers could take one lesson from this report, what would it be?
Persistently communicate in a jargon-free way, ensuring a consistent message that engages people over time, and invest in modern national security infrastructure to reflect the 21st-century reality rather than a 20th-century model.
In conversation with Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff
Q: What lessons from Ukraine are informing Canada's approach to future conflicts?
Ukraine underscores the need for mobilization, mass innovation, and readiness for large-scale conventional conflict, leading Canada to focus less on lighter approaches and more on scalable force generation.

Audience Metrics

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

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Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About The National Security Podcast

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

This show centers on Australian and Indo-Pacific national security, with deep dives into policy, governance, and strategy across defense, law enforcement, health security, border management, and global security dynamics. Episodes frequently feature senior researchers, former officials, and leading practitioners who translate complex topics—such as Aukus, water security, mis/disinformation, supply chains, and regional diplomacy—into practical insights for policymakers, industry, and academics. A notable strength is bringing cross-disciplinary voices from universities, government, and think tanks to illuminate how security challenges intersect with climate, technology, public health, and governance. Listeners can expect rigorous analysis, can... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The National Security Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The National Security Podcast:

1. Australia in the World
2. Lowy Institute
3. Australian Politics
4. Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny
5. Insiders

How many episodes of The National Security Podcast are there?

The National Security Podcast launched 8 years ago and published 298 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 National Security Podcast?

Recent guests on The National Security Podcast include:

1. Mike Gallacher
2. Michael Outram
3. Jason Alexandra
4. Matthew Coulton
5. Esperanza Martinez
6. Nicholas Thomson
7. Jen Parker
8. Peter Dean

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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