The Progress Report is a podcast that shines a light on the voices, stories, and experiences of women shaping Australia's defence and national security landscape — spanning both the Australian Defence Force and the broader industry. Hosted by Tash Taylor, this series offers honest, thought-provoking conversations that explore the realities of working in one of the nation's most complex and vital sectors. From leadership and innovation to resilience and personal growth, each episode delves into the challenges, triumphs, and pivotal moments that define progress — both personal and professional. Through authentic storytelling and candid discussion, The Progress Report goes beyond policy and stra...
Latest episodes
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31 min
Leadership, mentorship and life at sea – Commander Melanie Lennard on 17 years in the Royal Australian Navy
How do you build an inclusive, adaptable and capable Australian Defence Force through leadership, lifelong learning and the experiences that shape military careers? Royal Australia…
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10 min
Building the future – Viviene Beins on aerospace engineering, women, and Australia's defence industry
Breaking barriers and building the skills needed to shape the future of Australia's aerospace and defence industries. RMIT University aerospace engineering and logistics supply cha…
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48 min
Against the tide – Captain Mona Shindy on gender, culture and change in the Royal Australian Navy
Someone has to take the plunge and shoulder the burden. A pioneer forging the path for the future generations of women in the Australian Defence Force, no matter the consequences.…
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46 min
Direct hit over Baghdad – the pilot who outflew a surface-to-air missile
How do you stay composed when your aircraft is struck by a surface-to-air missile over enemy territory, your hydraulics fail, and you're staring down at the city of Baghdad? For Co…
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53 min
The mission to make military children visible
How do you explain to a six-year-old that her father isn't just "away" but serving the nation? For Hayley Boswell, the answer started with a handmade book and a story about saving…
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47 min
From the cockpit to the dockyard
From commercial pilot to maritime leader, Georgia Davey's "roller-coaster" career is a masterclass in adaptability. In this episode, the NORSTA Maritime program manager joins Tash…
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45 min
10 Seconds of courage and the ripple effect of mentorship
How does a law student's "gap year" in recruitment turn into a 17-year career leading operations in the defence sector? In this episode, Amelia De Angelis, chief operating officer…
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1 h 00
From Army engineering to the C-suite – breaking the glass ceiling in Defence
In this episode of The Progress Report, Tash Taylor sits down with Gabby Costigan, a powerhouse leader in the global defence sector and a pioneer for women in STEM. From her early…
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58 min
Clearing the sky for the next generation – a conversation with Sue-anne Munckton
Imagine being told at the start of your aviation career that women simply don't fly jets. Decades later, Sue-anne Munckton is the CEO of the Civil Aviation Academy Australasia and…
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43 min
The Power of persistence and passion in aviation
A chance meeting with an astronaut changed Riley Havela's life, diverting her path from medicine straight into the world of aerospace engineering. In this episode of Defence Connec…
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41 min
The drone age and STEM's next generation
How do you go from growing up in Ukraine to winning Academic of the Year in Australia? Dr Oleksandra Molloy, senior lecturer in aviation at UNSW Canberra, shares her extraordinary…
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50 min
Authentic leadership, vulnerability, and owning your storm
What does it mean to lead with honesty, show vulnerability, and embrace your authentic self – even when life feels chaotic? In this episode of The Progress Report, host Tash Taylor…
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41 min
Leadership, mental health and life's balancing act
Ever wondered what it takes to lead with resilience while balancing life, career and wellbeing? In this episode of The Progress Report, Tash Taylor sits down with Marisa Branscombe…
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1 h 16
From sad Sundays to lifelong bonds: The stories of war widows
Imagine being part of a group that no one ever wants to join – a community born from loss, but one that becomes a lifeline. On this episode of The Progress Report, running in time…
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1 h 00
Resilience, hope and the passion to heal, with Families of Veterans Guild
A truly hard-hitting discussion of challenges and triumphs in the Defence community. In this episode of The Progress Report, Defence Connect's Tash Taylor sits down with Families o…
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41 min
How Niru Verma turned Post-it notes into a blueprint for breaking barriers in cyber
What happens when a woman with the "how hard can it be" gene takes on the male-dominated world of cyber and national security? In this episode of The Progress Report, Defence Conne…
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30 min
Leading at sea and beyond: A conversation with Rear Admiral Van Stralen
How do you forge a trailblazing path and rise to leadership in the Australian Defence Force? In this episode of The Progress Report, Defence Connect's Tash Taylor sits down with Re…
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32 min
From curiosity to career – breaking into the space industry
What does it really take to find your place in one of Australia's most niche industries – and how do you turn curiosity into a meaningful career? In this episode of The Progress Re…
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45 min
From resilience to real impact – supporting veterans and their families through change
What does it really take to build strength and community when your family is moving at a moment's notice – and how do you turn that experience into creating meaningful support for…
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28 min
Building a more inclusive orbit – one space tech leader at a time
What do a high school teacher, a psychologist, and a mother of two have in common with a space tech founder? In this episode of The Progress Report, Defence Connect's Tash Taylor s…