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Dr Lucas Marie speaks with international relations scholar and host of Australia in the World, Dr Darren Lim, about how Defence leaders can make sense of a complex strategic environment. Drawing on debates about China, the conflict in Iran and Australia’s alliance with the United States, Lim explores how to question assumptions, test ideas and remain open to changing one’s mind. The conversation examines why military success does not necessarily deliver lasting political outcomes, and why understanding politics matters for the profession of arms.

Artificial intelligence and data analytics are changing how military forces understand, influence and act within the information environment. This article examines how AI can turn vast quantities of data into strategic advantage, from predictive analysis and data fusion to cyber operations, psychological influence and countering misinformation. It also considers the risks accompanying these capabilities, including privacy, bias, accountability and compliance with international law. As data becomes an increasingly important strategic asset, the article argues that achieving data dominance — while maintaining appropriate human oversight — will be critical to success in the future battlespace. Read the article on The Forge

The Australian Defence Force needs thousands of new recruits each year, yet the pool it can realistically draw from is far smaller than Australia’s population figures suggest. This article examines how health, education, criminality and other national characteristics combine with ADF selection requirements to leave fewer than half of 17–24-year-olds eligible to serve. Once willingness to join is added, the potential recruiting pool falls to just 16% — and potentially as low as 11%. It explores what these numbers reveal about the ADF’s persistent recruiting challenge and the limited levers Defence has available to address it. Read the article on the Forge

What role could memes play in the future of warfare, and what does that mean for the Australian Defence Force? This article explores the evolution of memetic warfare and examines how memes, narratives and ideas can shape behaviour, influence decision-making and contest the information environment. Drawing on the Russia–Ukraine war and the emergence of online civic resistance groups such as NAFO, it considers how similar dynamics could emerge in a future Indo-Pacific conflict. Rather than presenting memetic warfare as a new military panacea, the article argues that it offers the ADF a useful framework for thinking about narrative and cognitive warfare, with potential applications from operations to training, recruitment and organisational culture. Read the article on the Forge

Dr Lucas Marie sits down with TX Hammes, a distinguished fellow at the National Defence University's Institute for National Strategic Studies and a 30-year United States Marine Corps veteran with operations in Somalia and Iraq.TX is a leader in his field as one of the most respected voices on the future of warfare, military strategy, and insurgency. He holds a doctorate in modern history from the University of Oxford and is the author of The Sling and the Stone, a landmark examination of how modern conflict has evolved alongside deglobalisation and shifting strategic competition.His research on future conflict and emerging technology has shaped professional military education programs around the world — including here in Australia.

In this season-opening episode of Lives in Leadership, Dr Lucas Marie speaks with Warrant Officer Ken Robertson, the inaugural Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the Defence Force. Drawing on more than 30 years of service, Robertson discusses the role of influence in leadership, the value of trusted relationships, and how the voice of the enlisted workforce helps inform strategic decision-making across the ADF. The conversation explores leading without formal authority, building a genuinely integrated joint force, and why technical expertise must be matched by emotional intelligence and professional judgement. Relevant well beyond Defence, this episode offers practical insights for anyone seeking to lead effectively in complex organisations.

In this episode of Lives in Leadership, Dr Lucas Marie sits down with Dr Florence Gaub — Director of the Research Division at the NATO Defense College, futurist, and global security thinker — to explore the intersection of technology, strategy, and human judgment in defence. Dr Gaub challenges the idea that artificial intelligence is a true revolution in warfare, arguing instead that conflict remains a deeply human enterprise defined by continuity, emotion, and bias. She offers insight into the practice of strategic foresight, explaining how NATO uses “weak signals” and scenario-building to anticipate future risks. The discussion ranges from the cultural and historical roots of strategic identity to global recruitment trends and the myths surrounding younger generations’ “will to fight.” Drawing on NATO research, Dr Gaub presents a compelling, optimistic view of modern military society — one grounded in adaptability, understanding, and purpose. A Transcript and Educational Shownotes⁠⁠ are available on The Forge

In this episode of Lives in Leadership, Dr Lucas Marie speaks with Rear Admiral James Lybrand, Commander of the Australian Defence College, whose naval career spans from the submarine force to senior strategic leadership roles. Drawing on decades of operational and educational experience, Rear Admiral Lybrand shares his journey from leading underwater warfare operations to shaping Defence’s professional military education enterprise. He discusses the evolution of his leadership style — from decisive command at sea to reflective mentorship in strategic settings — and the importance of humility, delegation, and trust. He also reflects on the unique challenges of submarine leadership, lessons from high-pressure missions such as the search for MH370, and how the Australian Defence College is preparing future leaders through critical thinking, collaboration, and lifelong learning. A Transcript and Educational Shownotes are available on The Forge

In this episode of Lives in Leadership, Dr Lucas Marie speaks with Warrant Officer Dave Ashley, whose Australian Army career spans more than 40 years — including service in South-East Asia, East Timor (Timor-Leste), and Afghanistan. A former Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army, Dave shares candid reflections on leadership across tactical, operational, and strategic levels, emphasising the human dimension of command. He discusses the unique responsibilities of military leaders in times of conflict, the vital role of care and empathy in building resilience, and how the ADF can prepare its people for the uncertainty of future warfare. Drawing from hard-earned lessons and deeply personal experiences, Dave also explores how the Army has changed culturally — becoming more diverse, inclusive, and adaptable — while still holding fast to the fundamentals of discipline, humility, and excellence in leadership. In this episode of Lives in Leadership, Dr Lucas Marie speaks with Warrant Officer Dave Ashley, whose Australian Army career spans more than 40 years — including service in South-East Asia, East Timor (Timor-Leste), and Afghanistan. A former Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army, Dave shares candid reflections on leadership across tactical, operational, and strategic levels, emphasising the human dimension of command. He discusses the unique responsibilities of military leaders in times of conflict, the vital role of care and empathy in building resilience, and how the ADF can prepare its people for the uncertainty of future warfare. Drawing from hard-earned lessons and deeply personal experiences, Dave also explores how the Army has changed culturally — becoming more diverse, inclusive, and adaptable — while still holding fast to the fundamentals of discipline, humility, and excellence in leadership. A Transcript and Educational Shownotes⁠ are available on The Forge

In Part Two of this Lives in Leadership conversation, Major General Andrew Hocking joins Dr Lucas Marie to discuss organisational learning, national preparedness, and the role of social science in Defence. Drawing on his Vanguard paper, Preparing for the Future: Key Organisational Lessons from the Afghanistan Campaign, Major General Hocking reflects on the courage it takes for institutions to learn openly — and the political, cultural, and structural barriers that often get in the way. He explains how Defence must move beyond isolated, “whole-of-government” thinking to embrace a whole-of-nation approach, in which collaboration across the public, private, and community sectors strengthens Australia’s resilience in times of crisis. The discussion also highlights the value of diverse perspectives — including anthropologists and other social scientists — in understanding human behaviour and improving operational strategy. Hocking argues that meaningful learning and effective leadership depend on embracing tension, humility, and open dialogue across disciplines. A Transcript and Educational Shownotes⁠ are available on The Forge

In this episode of Lives in Leadership, Dr Lucas Marie speaks with Major General Andrew Hocking about the personal and professional lessons learned from a distinguished career spanning military command, national disaster recovery, and senior leadership across government. Drawing on experiences from Afghanistan to the 2019–20 bushfires, Major General Hocking discusses the enduring importance of adaptability, humility, flexibility, and balance in leadership. He offers candid reflections on managing stress, maintaining perspective, and learning to “hold on loosely” in high-pressure environments. The conversation explores how leaders can cultivate self-awareness, surround themselves with honest voices, and practise humility amid authority. Hocking also shares insights from his Vanguard paper on lessons from the Afghanistan campaign, the value of social science expertise in Defence, and how Australia can strengthen national preparedness through whole-of-nation collaboration. A Transcript and Educational Shownotes⁠⁠ are available on The Forge

In the second part of his discussion with Brigadier John Fenwick, Professor David Whetham delves into the evolving landscape of ethics and leadership in Defence. The conversation spans ethical dilemmas in training, moral reasoning under pressure, and the integration of ethical principles into AI design and operational practice. Professor Whetham also introduces the concept of “reasonable challenge”—a cornerstone of healthy command culture where leaders invite, hear, and act upon honest critique. This episode continues to explore how ethical strength and critical reflection underpin professional mastery and decision-making in the modern military environment. A Transcript and Educational Shownotes⁠⁠ are available on The Forge

In the first part of this two-part Lives in Leadership episode, Brigadier John Fenwick speaks with Professor David Whetham, Director of the King's Centre for Military Ethics at King’s College London. Together they explore the growth of military ethics as a discipline, the practical and cultural drivers behind its rise, and how ethical education shapes leadership in modern armed forces. Professor Whetham reflects on his career and ongoing research in areas such as human–machine teaming, artificial intelligence, and organisational culture. The discussion also delves into the complex dynamics of civil–military relations, moral injury, and the enduring duty of the profession of arms to uphold both ethical standards and societal trust. This episode sets the stage for a continuation in Part Two, where these themes are developed further. A Transcript and Educational Shownotes⁠⁠ are available on The Forge

From the depths of a Royal Navy submarine to the complexities of defence transformation, Rear Admiral Paul Halton has built a career leading people and organisations through uncertainty. In this episode of Lives in Leadership, he speaks with Dr Lucas Marie about: • Rebuilding trust and confidence in teams facing cultural decline • Balancing agility and discipline in long-term strategic programs • The shared leadership challenges of the UK and Australian defence contexts Halton’s reflections cut to the heart of what it means to lead with clarity, consistency, and purpose — lessons that resonate for every Defence professional navigating change. A Transcript and Educational Shownotes⁠⁠ are available on The Forge

In this episode of Lives in Leadership, Dr Lucas Marie speaks with Air Vice-Marshal Steven “Zed” Roberton, Distinguished Service Cross, about his remarkable journey through three decades of command in the Royal Australian Air Force and beyond. From leading Operation Okra—the largest RAAF deployment since Vietnam—to navigating multinational coalition dynamics and later entering the private sector, AVM Roberton shares lessons on trust, adaptability, and ethical decision-making in complex environments. The conversation explores how core leadership values—respect, integrity, teamwork, and the pursuit of excellence—transcend both military and civilian life, and why ethical awareness is more critical than ever in an age of artificial intelligence and rapid technological change. A Transcript and Educational Shownotes⁠⁠ are available on The Forge