Biography
Mike Richards
Managing Editor, The Forge
Michael Richards has worked across learning technologies and digital education for over three decades, bringing a mix of practical experience and long-term project delivery. He began his career in 1988 at Advance Bank as an Assistant Producer, contributing to more than 130 training video productions and gaining hands-on skills in writing, directing, editing, and camera work.
In 1994, he joined The Learning Group as its first full-time Senior Developer, Instructional Designer, and Graphic Artist. He supported clients including Thomson Marconi Sonar and Zurich Insurance, and played a key role in the company’s early growth.
From 1999, Mike worked at Catalyst Interactive as a Senior Developer and Team Leader, where he led technical teams, developed a distributed database system, and helped deliver projects for clients such as ANZ and the Department of Defence. His team’s work earned the 2001 ACT Chief Minister’s Award for OHS Training.
Between 2002 and 2006, he ran eLearning Media, providing contract instructional design and training development for clients including the Department of Immigration and Ricoh Australasia.
He returned to Catalyst Interactive (later KBR Wyle) in 2006 as a Project Manager and Instructional Designer, contributing to training and compliance projects for major clients including Chevron.
In 2011, Mike joined the Department of Defence as a Senior Digital Learning Producer, where he developed eLearning packages and co-produced the Into the Mind of a Fraudster podcast series, recognised with a Defence Australia Day Group Commendation.
He later served as System Administrator and Change Manager with Defence Learning Technologies, helping sustain learning systems through the COVID-19 pandemic and acting as Technical Director for the CDF Non-Commissioned Officer Conference, which was delivered entirely online.
In 2022, Mike joined The Forge, the public-facing platform for Joint Professional Military Education, as Production Manager. He became Acting Deputy Director later that year, and in 2024 was appointed Deputy Director within the Professional Mastery Directorate and Managing Editor of The Forge.
Articles by this author
-
Lives in LeadershipSeason 02 Episode 02 - Dr TX HammesTX 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.
<5 min31/08/2026 -
Lives in LeadershipSeason 2 Episode 1 - SEAC WO Ken Robertson OAMThe first Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the Defence Force explains why the best leaders rely on influence, trust and listening, not rank.
> 30 min10/08/2026 -
BELLOWSInstant comments now availableChanges to the Forge mean you can now strike while the iron is hot.
<5 min -
Lives in LeadershipSeason 01 Episode 11 - RADM James Lybrand RANRear Admiral James Lybrand reflects on leadership from the depths of submarines to strategic command, exploring adaptability, reflection, and the evolving role of education in shaping Defence’s future leaders
> 30 min23/12/2025 -
Lives in LeadershipSeason 01 Episode 10 - WO David AshleyWarrant Officer Dave Ashley reflects on four decades of service, sharing leadership lessons from the battlefield, the importance of caring for soldiers, and how the Army can prepare the next generation for the challenges ahead.
> 30 min16/12/2025 -
Lives in LeadershipSeason 01 Episode 09 - MAJGEN Andrew Hocking - Part 2Major General Andrew Hocking discusses the lessons from Afghanistan, the importance of institutional learning, and how Defence can strengthen national preparedness through collaboration and diverse perspectives.
<30 min08/12/2025 -
Lives in LeadershipSeason 01 Episode 08 - MAJGEN Andrew Hocking - Part 1Dr Lucas Marie speaks with Major General Andrew Hocking about the personal and professional lessons learned from a distinguished career.
> 30 min05/12/2025 -
Lives in LeadershipSeason 01 Episode 07 - Professor David Whetham - Part 2In the second part of his discussion with Brigadier John Fenwick, Professor David Whetham delves into the evolving landscape of ethics and leadership in Defence.
> 30 min05/12/2025 -
Lives in LeadershipSeason 01 Episode 06 - Professor David Whetham - Part 1Brigadier John Fenwick speaks with Professor David Whetham, Director of the King's Centre for Military Ethics at King’s College London.
> 30 min05/12/2025 -
Lives in LeadershipSeason 01 Episode 05 - RADM Paul Halton, RN (Retd)Rear Admiral Paul Halton joins Dr Lucas Marie to explore what real leadership looks like under pressure — from commanding nuclear submarines to steering national-level defence change.
<30 min02/12/2025 -
Lives in LeadershipSeason 01 Episode 04 - Dr Florence GaubDr Lucas Marie speaks with Dr Florence Gaub — futurist, security expert, and Director at the NATO Defence College — about the future of war, technology, and human decision-making.
<30 min02/12/2025 -
Lives in LeadershipSeason 01 Episode 03 - AVM Steve 'Zed' RobertonAir Vice-Marshal Steven “Zed” Roberton joins Lives in Leadership to discuss leading through complexity — from fighter squadrons and coalition operations to corporate boardrooms.
<30 min02/12/2025 -
Lives in LeadershipSeason 01 Episode 02 - Dr Leigh Ann PerryIn this Episode Dr Lucas Marie speaks with Doctor Leigh Ann Perry, an associate professor of psychology and behavioral science at the US Naval War College.
02/12/2025 -
Lives in LeadershipSeason 01 Episode 01 - RADM Lee Goddard RAN (Retd)Rear Admiral Lee Goddard shares candid lessons from 34 years in the Navy and beyond.
<30 min02/12/2025 -
BELLOWSAnnouncing the Defence Values Learning Package SeriesExplore how everyday actions and extraordinary examples shape the character of our Defence Force in a new learning series on living the ADF’s core values.
<5 min -
Lives in LeadershipLives in LeadershipAccess and download individual podcast episodes from a single page.
<5 min14/10/2025 -
BELLOWSOctober Update - Communities, Forums and PodcastsIn this update we discuss the new Communities and Forums and the release of the Forge's first podcast series on the 14th of October.
<15 min -
BELLOWSAudiobooks Available NowForge your intellect—anytime, anywhere.
<5 min -
BELLOWSMajor Updates - The Bellows - July 2025New Forge updates: even better citations (with video), audiobooks, a mobile app, and user forums. Learn on the go, and engage with the PME community.
<15 min -
BELLOWSWhy The Forge’s Use of AI Art Is Both Ethical and LegitimateIs AI-generated art at The Forge unethical, or is it a responsible use of the technology today? Here's how we ensure creativity without compromise.
<5 min -
BELLOWSUpdated Features Are Now LivePlease see Comments on this page for important information about the Forge email address.
New tools, better navigation, and easier alumni connections—discover what’s new on The Forge in our latest update!
<5 min -
BELLOWSAnnouncing The Forge on Facebook and LinkedInThe Forge is forging new connections—find out how we will soon be bringing military education to your newsfeed.
<5 min -
Friends of the ForgeSummer 2024 Poster03/12/2024 -
BELLOWS'Tis the Season to be WritingJamie Cullen's winners announced, The Cove Competition open for entries, The Grey Oration, New Coaching videos and three new features coming soon.
<5 min -
BELLOWSNews and Events for September 2024Discover the latest updates from The Forge, including competition news and important changes to our submission process in the September 2024 edition of Bellows!
<5 min -
BELLOWSForge Forward: Exciting Updates & Competitions AwaitDiscover the latest competitions, new features, and exciting changes coming to The Forge—don't miss out on the essential updates in this edition of The Bellows!
<5 min -
BELLOWSApril 2024In this Bellows post, a fresh call for articles is made and a new submission process is suggested.
<5 min -
BELLOWSMarch Update 2024Announcing the War College Papers 2023 and the reinstated Forge email address.
<5 min -
Friends of the ForgeAutumn 2024 Poster04/03/2024 -
BELLOWSFebruary 2024 Quick UpdateNew publications are incoming and our email is broken.
<5 min -
BELLOWSExciting Times AheadThe Forge Upgrade is now live, marking a monumental leap forward in our journey. We extend a heartfelt thanks to our incredible team whose dedication has made this possible. Dive into what's new in the Forge, exploring innovative features and enhancements. As we look ahead to 2024, we promise more exciting developments on the horizon. Join us in this celebration with season's greetings and anticipation for a bright future ahead.
<15 min -
Friends of the ForgeSummer 2023 Poster<5 min04/12/2023 -
BELLOWSUpdate on The Forge's Upcoming UpgradeInformation on upcoming the Forge Update, and an invitation for all authors.
<5 min -
BELLOWSWinners, Submissions and Artificial IntelligenceIt's with great pleasure that the Centre for Defence Leadership and Ethics (CDLE) announces the winners of the 2022 Jamie Cullen Writing Competition.
<5 min -
BELLOWSAnnouncing the Friends of the ForgeForge posters to proudly display wherever suitable.
<5 min -
BELLOWSNew features for readers - No login required.In this bellows post, we will be discussing the new engagement features that will be available to all.
<5 min -
BELLOWSAuthor FeaturesIntroducing new features for authors.<5 min -
BELLOWSWelcome to the first issue of the BellowsThe inaugural Bellows Post. In which there are introductions, farewells and good things to come.<5 min