The Progress Report

Momentum Media
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Business
  • Updated Biweekly

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 strategy to reveal the people driving change across defence and national security.

  1. 1d ago

    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 Australian Navy Commander Melanie Lennard shares her journey from studying sports science at university to a 17-year career in the Royal Australian Navy, including operational deployments to South Sudan and the leadership lessons that have shaped her professional development. In this episode of The Progress Report, former news editor Steve Kuper sits down with CMDR Lennard to discuss her experiences as a female naval officer and how the Navy has evolved to create greater opportunities for women across the ADF. The pair also explore the role of formal and informal mentoring in developing the next generation of military leaders, the importance of continuous professional development, and how learning from colleagues, operational experiences and international partners can shape leadership approaches. Beyond leadership and diversity, CMDR Lennard reflects on her deployments to South Sudan in support of a United Nations mission, the challenges of working alongside more than 60 nations, and the perspective these experiences provide on Australia's security, freedoms and way of life. The conversation also examines the opportunities emerging from Navy's modernisation, the potential for career changes and further study while serving, and the importance of sharing positive stories about the people serving in the ADF. The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts. Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team

    Leadership, mentorship and life at sea – Commander Melanie Lennard on 17 years in the Royal Australian Navy

  2. Sep 18

    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 chain student Viviene Beins shares her experience competing in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Design/Build/Fly competition in the US, where she helped lead the composite manufacturing of an aircraft and has now taken on a co-lead role for the next 2026–27 team. In this episode of The Progress Report, news editor Robert Dougherty sits down with Beins to discuss her journey into aerospace engineering, the challenges women face in entering traditionally male-dominated fields, and the importance of mentorship, perseverance, and strong female leadership. The pair also explore the subtle barriers women can face in university and engineering environments, factors often overlooked that can discourage women from pursuing careers in STEM. Beyond gender diversity, Beines reflects on what the Australian aerospace and defence industry can do to attract and retain the next generation of engineers, including providing opportunities for career mobility, skills development, and exposure to cutting-edge programs such as the Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat uncrewed aircraft program. The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts. Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team

    Building the future – Viviene Beins on aerospace engineering, women, and Australia's defence industry

  3. Aug 14

    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. Royal Australian Navy Captain (Ret'd) Mona Shindy shares her unique journey serving in the Royal Australian Navy as a warship weapons engineer, becoming one of the first three women to serve on an Australian warship, being selected as the first female captain to wear a hijab and, finally, leaving a legacy as the inaugural and only chief of navy strategic advisor on Islamic cultural affairs. In this episode of The Progress Report, senior journalist Robert Dougherty sits down with Captain Shindy to discuss her extraordinary career spanning more than 25 years in the Royal Australian Navy, her trauma and triumphs navigating the treacherous waters of gender bias, cultural expectations and resistance to change. The pair also look ahead to the future, how Defence has improved and how it can better understand and support personnel from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. Beyond her own career, Shindy reflects on leadership, the nature of negative military culture, her memoir, Shattering identity bias, and a newly launched Mona Shindy Foundation designed to provide mentoring, networks and support to people who may not otherwise have access to them. The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts. Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team

    Against the tide – Captain Mona Shindy on gender, culture and change in the Royal Australian Navy

  4. Apr 2

    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 Colonel (Ret'd) Kim Campbell, the answer wasn't luck – it was 24 years of rigorous training, a "lead with courage" mindset, and the redundant, rugged engineering of the A-10 Warthog. In this gripping episode, Tash Taylor sits down with one of the United States Air Force's most courageous pilots to recount the harrowing mission on 7 April 2003 that earned her the Distinguished Flying Cross. Kim shares the split-second decision making required to fly a manual "cranks and pulleys" system for an hour-long flight back to safety, proving that while the jet doesn't know your gender, it certainly knows your competence. Beyond the cockpit, Kim discusses the transition from fighter pilot to high-level leader at the Pentagon and the Air Force Academy. She opens up about the "juggling act" of military motherhood and the importance of authentic connection – including a heartwarming story of her three-year-old crashing a formal military ceremony. The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts. Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team

    Direct hit over Baghdad – the pilot who outflew a surface-to-air missile

  5. Mar 20

    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 sea turtles. A former lawyer and youth worker turned CEO and founder of Defence Kidz, Hayley is on a mission to ensure that one in 20 Australian children with a veteran parent are no longer the "invisible" part of the defence capability. In this episode, Tash Taylor sits down with Hayley to discuss the emotional and practical realities of military life. From successfully lobbying for veteran identifiers in schools to shipping out hundreds of "deployment packs" designed by psychologists, Hayley shares how small tools – like a weighted koala or a T-shirt – can provide the resilience a child needs when their world is constantly in motion. Hayley reflects on her own upbringing as a "military child", moving from Toowoomba to the Navy life, and how those early memories shaped her mission. From Adelaide Zoo connection days to the magic of a recorded bedtime story sent from Afghanistan, Hayley illustrates how Defence Kidz is rebuilding that lost sense of belonging. The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts. Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team

    The mission to make military children visible

  6. Mar 6

    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 Taylor to discuss her journey from the skies of northern Australia to managing maintenance for naval vessels. Georgia shares the unique challenges of defence construction and maritime logistics, offering a candid look at being the only woman in the room and her commitment to "holding the door open" for the next generation of diverse talent. The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts. Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team

    From the cockpit to the dockyard

  7. Feb 19

    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 of Kinexus, shares her journey from industry outsider to co-founding The Future Through Collaboration, a program that has mentored over 600 women. Amelia discusses the importance of "embracing your awkward self" and why the myth of "work-life balance" should be replaced by her "glass balls and bouncy balls" philosophy – learning which priorities are fragile and which are OK to drop. From navigating the steep learning curve of defence to coaching community basketball, Amelia explains how a simple "10 seconds of courage" can define a career and create a lasting ripple effect of leadership. The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts. Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team

    10 Seconds of courage and the ripple effect of mentorship

  8. Feb 6

    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 days in the Australian Defence Force to becoming the first female CEO of BAE Systems Australia, Gabby's journey is a masterclass in resilience, career pivoting and leading with purpose. Beyond the boardroom, Gabby discusses the vital role of mentorship and her deep-rooted passion for advocating for defence families, offering invaluable advice for anyone looking to lead with resilience and purpose. The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts. Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team

    From Army engineering to the C-suite – breaking the glass ceiling in Defence
See All (22)

About

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 strategy to reveal the people driving change across defence and national security.

Information

  • Creator
    Momentum Media
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    The Progress Report