The Cove Podcast

John Hardgrave

Booking Overview

An interview podcast focused on Australian Army leadership, soldiering, modern warfare, resilience, and land power, typically featuring serving officers and soldiers alongside defense academics and international military partners. Credible pitches include senior military leaders, veterans with operational or peacekeeping experience, defense scholars, military psychologists, and experts in human performance or command culture; booking is likely high difficulty because the show is institutionally focused and its guests are closely connected to the Australian Army.

Metrics

Episodes: 190

Frequency: Biweekly

Rating: 4.3/5.0

Estimated listeners: <1k

Gender skew: Male

Location: Australia

YouTube: 10.9k subscribers

Instagram: 1.1k followers

Contact Information

the.cove@defence.gov.au

For verified host and producer emails, sign up to view.

Host

John Hardgrave - Host of The Cove Podcast, presenting conversations about the Australian Army, military leadership, operations, and the future of land power.

Booking Intelligence

Booking Requirements

high
Typical Credentials:  
Serving or former military personnel with command, operational, deployment, peacekeeping, or soldiering experience; defense academics, military psychologists, human-performance specialists, and international military partners with relevant expertise.
Required Achievements:  
Military command experience, Operational or peacekeeping deployment, Defense research or scholarship, Expertise in military leadership, resilience, or human performance

Recent Guest Discussions

Chris Smith - The Purpose And Identity Of The Australian Soldier, Military Profession, Leadership, Discipline, Service, And The Realities Of War

Mark Vele - UN Peacekeeping, Multinational Headquarters Operations, Deployment Preparation, Service In South Sudan, And Personal And Professional Challenges Of Military Operations

Tom Lefevre - Soldier Selection, Training, Integration, Cohesion, And The Experience Of Operating And Living In Malaysia

San-Joe Tan - Military Training, Reserve And Full-time Force Integration, Leadership, Cohesion, And Operating In Malaysia

Recent Topics

Australian Army, Military Leadership, Modern Warfare, Peacekeeping, Military Culture

Episodes

Here's the recent few episodes on
The Cove Podcast
:

Train Smarter, Lead Better, Be Well - Lessons from AFL and Defence with Alastair Lynch and Dr Jon Lane

July 12, 2026

In this episode of The Cove Podcast, host John Hardgrave brings together AFL premiership player Alastair Lynch and Jonathan Lane for a powerful conversation on high performance, leadership, and life after structured environments. Drawing on Lynch’s experience with the Brisbane Lions and Lane’s clinical and military background, the discussion explores the shared DNA between elite sport and Defence. The episode examines what makes teams truly high-performing—clarity of roles, trust, accountab...

The Soldier: Purpose, Profession and the Reality of War with MAJGEN Chris Smith, DCA

June 28, 2026

In this episode of The Cove Podcast, host John Hardgrave is joined by the Deputy Chief of Army to discuss The Soldier, Army’s new publication on the purpose and identity of the Australian soldier. The conversation examines why the publication was written now, what it says about Army’s core purpose, and why soldiers must be prepared honestly for the realities of war, violence, lawful killing, fear, fatigue, discipline and service. It also explores the distinction between being a soldier and a ...

Peacekeeping, Protection and Perspective: Lessons from Operation ASLAN with Maj Mark Vele

June 14, 2026

In this episode of The Cove Podcast, John Hardgrave speaks with an Australian Army officer Mark Vele about his 12-month deployment on Operation ASLAN with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. The discussion explores the realities of preparing for a UN peacekeeping mission, working in a multinational headquarters, living and operating in Juba, and the personal and professional challenges of serving in a complex security environment far from home.

the.cove@defence.gov.au

For verified host and producer emails, sign up to view.

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