Lives in Leadership explores leadership in demanding environments, featuring insights from experienced practitioners drawn across Defence, government, industry, and academia.  Through sharing compelling stories and perspectives, the podcast explores military leadership, ethics, culture, and service in the Profession of Arms. The podcast provides insights into joint and integrated appointments at both the operational and strategic levels. It complements existing single-service professional military development platforms.

The first episode of "Lives in Leadership" premieres on October 14, 2025. It will feature Rear Admiral Lee Goddard (retd) in conversation with Dr Lucas Marie from MPM. New episodes will be released weekly thereafter.

You can download "Lives in Leadership" via the Forge and the podcast apps Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You are encouraged to subscribe to "Lives in Leadership" to join these enriching conversations and take advantage of the valuable opportunity for professional development. 1

The podcast is hosted and co-produced by Dr Lucas Marie,

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You can also access the podcast RSS feed directly from: https://feeds.megaphone.fm/HVTCV7287580301

Season 1

Episode 01 - RADM Lee Goddard RAN (Retd)

Rear Admiral Lee Goddard shares candid lessons from 34 years in the Navy and beyond. From commanding warships to shaping defence policy, he reflects on leadership, high-performing teams, and the importance of knowing your people.

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Episode 02 - Dr Leigh Ann Perry

In 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. She is a leading expert in the application of positive psychology for military leadership development. Dr Perry's work focuses on the area of wellbeing, resilience and mindfulness.

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Episode 03 - AVM Steve 'Zed' Roberton

In this episode of Lives in Leadership, Dr Lucas Marie speaks with Air Vice-Marshal Stephen “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.

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Episode 04 - Dr Florence Gaub

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.

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Episode 05 - RADM Paul Halton, RN (Retd) 

From the control room of a nuclear submarine to senior transformation roles in the UK Defence sector, Rear Admiral Paul Halton, RN (Retd) has built a career around leadership, culture, and delivering through uncertainty.

In this episode of Lives in Leadership, he joins Dr Lucas Marie to reflect on:

How rebuilding trust and culture can turn performance around
The balance between adaptability and disciplined long-term planning
What the Australian and UK Defence experiences share when navigating strategic change

His reflections remind us that effective leadership isn’t about control — it’s about clarity, consistency, and enabling others to succeed.

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Episode 06 - Prof David Whetham

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.

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Episode 07 - Prof David Whetham - Part 2 

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.

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Episode 08 - MAJGEN Andrew Hocking - Part 1 

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.

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Episode 09 - MAJGEN Andrew Hocking - Part 2

In Part Two of this Lives in Leadership conversation, Major General Andrew Hocking joins Dr Lucas Murray 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.

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