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 sits down with Rebecca Woolnough, area manager - Oceania for SMART Technologies, to unpack what true resilience and self-leadership look like beyond the polished titles and structured systems.

From navigating self-doubt and impostor moments to learning how to "be the hurricane", Bec shares a refreshingly raw and honest reflection on leadership, motherhood, and maintaining identity amid constant pressure. The conversation explores everything from women's evolving roles in Defence to the mental load of balancing career, family, and self-worth.

Through laughter, humility, and insight, Beck opens up about the moments that nearly broke her – and how those same moments built her into the leader she is today. She reminds us that progress isn't about perfection or control, but about showing up fully as yourself, even when the storm hits.

The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts.

Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team

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, head of marketing communication at Atturra, to talk about leadership, resilience, and the human side of managing teams in high-pressure environments.

Marisa shares how her career evolved from rural media to leading people-focused initiatives across male-dominated industries, and how her passion for supporting others has shaped her approach to leadership.

We dive into topics like creating supportive workplace cultures, navigating burnout, and how COVID-19 reshaped our understanding of connection and mental health at work.

From developing mental health initiatives across dispersed teams to finding balance between career and family, Marisa offers grounded, thoughtful insights that remind us that progress isn't just about performance – it's about people.

The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts.

Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team

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 for War Widows Day on 19th October, Tash Taylor sits down with war widows Jenny Ware, Lynne Boyd and Wendy McKean, who have turned grief into friendship, laughter, and resilience.

Through candid stories, they reveal how shared experiences of military loss forge bonds that help navigate grief, isolation, and life's challenges. From the "Friendship Line" connecting widows across the country to "Sad Sunday" lunches, rural support networks, and acts of everyday care, these women show how community and companionship sustain them.

They share laughter, tears, and invaluable life lessons – on honouring loved ones, embracing life after loss, enjoying simple pleasures, and showing respect and empathy to others. Their stories are a testament to courage, connection, and living fully despite adversity.

The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts.

Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team

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 of Veterans Guild CEO Renee Wilson, board chair Tricia Hobson as well as board director and interim deputy chair Jennifer Collins.

The group takes a look back at the roots of the establishment of War Widows Guild in NSW in June 1946 and how support for veterans and their families has progressed since then.

They also unpack the personal stories behind supporting serving personnel and their families.

The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts.

Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team

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 Connect's Tash Taylor sits down with Niru Verma, partner at Excelium, to unpack the twists and turns of her career – from 11 years in the APS to launching her own business, to leading teams in one of Canberra's fastest-growing cyber firms.

With candour and warmth, Niru shares how Post-it notes on her wall shaped her career goals, why authenticity matters more than conformity, and how mentorship can change the trajectory of women's careers in STEM. This is a story of resilience, problem-solving, and redefining leadership in the technical industry.

The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts.

Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team

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 Rear Admiral Letitia Van Stralen, head of Military Personnel for the Australian Defence Force.

ADML Van Stralen shares how her 30-year journey began with a law degree, which led her to being one of the first women on a Navy destroyer, evolving into senior leadership roles shaping the future of the ADF.

From mentoring young women, navigating deployments, and building supportive networks to advocating for diversity and inclusion across the force, ADML Van Stralen opens up about the resilience, determination, and opportunities that have defined her career.

The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts.

Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team

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 Report, Defence Connect's Tash Taylor sits down with Mary Pillay, a space and robotics engineer and ambassador of the Australian Space Diversity Alliance. Mary shares how her journey began with a chance industry night at university, her experience cold emailing companies to land her first internship, and the mentorship that helped her grow into a confident professional.

From being thrown into the deep end during her first week to guiding students and young professionals into the space sector, Mary opens up about the importance of putting yourself out there, seizing opportunities, and surrounding yourself with supporters who believe in you.

The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts.

Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team

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 veterans and their spouses?

In this episode of The Progress Report, Defence Connect's Tash Taylor sits down with Julie Hall who comes from a proud family with deep roots in the Australian Defence Force. As a passionate advocate for veteran families and the driving force behind the CommBank for Veterans program, Julie shares how her own connection to service inspired her mission to support those who give so much.

From juggling life across multiple cities and military moves to launching initiatives that help veterans start businesses and find financial security, Julie opens up about the challenges faced by defence families and how resilience becomes part of their DNA.

From sacrifices made to tight-knit communities that form, together they unpack what it means to work with heart, build networks, and champion ideas that change lives.

The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts.

Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team

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 sits down with Sheila Maria Gough Kenyon – co-founder of Starbound Space Solutions and national committee member of the Australian Space Diversity Alliance – to explore what it really looks like to carve out a career in the space sector on your own terms.

From juggling PhDs and newborns to co-building a company with a mission to rewire how we see knowledge, Sheila shares the power of late diagnosis, leading as a neurodivergent woman, and why inclusion isn't just about talk – it's about tangible, structural change. Together, Tash and Sheila dive deep into the invisible barriers many face in defence-adjacent industries, the realities of masking, and how true progress lies in designing for everyone – not just the usual suspects.

The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts.

Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team

In this episode of The Progress Report, Defence Connect's Natasha Taylor sits down with Rachel Falzon, founder and national president of the Women in Defence Association, to explore the power of mentorship in shaping meaningful careers.

From informal guidance over coffee to a groundbreaking, free national mentoring program, Rachel shares stories of women who have found confidence, navigated transitions from active service to industry, and earned promotions thanks to dedicated mentors.

Listen as they unpack the unique challenges women face in defence, the importance of community, and how mentorship is driving retention, leadership, and gender equity across the sector.

Join Natasha and Rachel to discover why no woman should navigate this journey alone.

The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts.

Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team