By Second Front
If Between Two Ferns and C-SPAN had a child, it would be All Quiet on the Second Front. Blending the very best (and the worst) of government gravitas with technical
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The podcast currently has 61 episodes available.
Episode 60. In this episode of All Quiet on the Second Front, Tyler Sweatt welcomes Steve Blank, the Godfather of Innovation in Defense - a pioneering entrepreneur in the Silicon Valley and now adjunct Professor at Stanford University. Steve shares his journey from Air Force service during the Vietnam War to shaping Silicon Valley, co-founding the Lean Startup methodology, and re-engaging with the DoD to drive innovation. Join Tyler and Steve for an insightful discussion on the future of defense innovation and the crucial role of rapid technological advancement in national security.
What’s Happening on the Second Front:
Connect with Steve:
• LinkedIn: Steve Blank
• Website: steveblank.com
Connect with Tyler:
• LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt
• Website: Second Front
Episode 59. In this episode of All Quiet on the Second Front, host Tyler Sweatt reconnects with Patrick Clancey, President & CEO of IDEMIA NSS and longtime friend and soccer teammate. Patrick shares his extensive journey from an infantry officer in the Army to a leading expert in biometrics and zero trust. Join Tyler and Patrick for an insightful discussion on the future of biometrics, the importance of trust and privacy, and the innovative solutions transforming security in the modern world.
What’s Happening on the Second Front:
Connect with Patrick:
• LinkedIn: Patrick Clancey
Connect with Tyler:
• LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt
• Website: Second Front Systems
Episode 58. Imagine a world where the commanding officer at the frontlines can procure the exact software needed to enhance their unit's capabilities, without wading through bureaucratic red tape. In this episode, Tyler Sweatt and Rob Murray, Chief Innovation Officer at Saab, delves into the critical importance of agility and adaptability in defense strategy, the challenges of bureaucracy in innovation, and his insights on leveraging existing technology and infrastructures to enhance global security. Join us as Rob shares his vision for a more agile and responsive defense industry, and why the future of national security depends on it.
What’s Happening on the Second Front:
Connect with Rob:
• LinkedIn: Rob Murray
Connect with Tyler:
• LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt
• Website: Second Front Systems
Episode 57. In this episode of All Quiet on the Second Front, Tyler Sweatt sits down with Wasim Khaled, CEO of Blackbird.AI, to explore the critical issue of disinformation and its implications on modern society. Wasim shares his journey from being a gearhead with a computer science background to co-founding Blackbird.AI, a company dedicated to combating the manipulation of narratives in the information age. The conversation delves into the evolution of disinformation, the challenges in identifying truth in a complex media landscape, and the innovative approaches Blackbird.AI employs to address these issues.
Wasim emphasizes the existential threat posed by disinformation, highlighting how it influences everything from public health to geopolitical stability. He discusses the importance of narrative intelligence and the tools his team has developed to quantify and mitigate the effects of disinformation. This episode provides a deep dive into the complexities of modern information warfare and the innovative solutions being developed to counteract it.
What’s Happening on the Second Front:
Connect with Wasim:
• LinkedIn: Wasim Khaled
Connect with Tyler:
• LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt
• Website: Second Front Systems
Episode 56. On this episode of All Quiet, Tyler sits down with Devaki Raj, Chief Digital and AI Officer at Saab. Hear Devaki discuss her background in AI and machine learning, including her time as CEO of Crowdai, a no-code mission-focused AI platform acquired by Saab in 2023.
The conversation dives into Devaki's early experience working with the US government, including her initial impressions and how that has evolved into a passion for AI's positive impact on national security.
Davaki sheds light on Crowdai's acquisition by Saab and the challenges and opportunities of integrating a small, fast-moving AI company into a larger, established defense contractor.
She emphasizes the importance of user empathy and real-world testing for successful AI development.
What’s Happening on the Second Front:
• Transitioning from a Silicon Valley mindset to working in defense
• Using AI to improve real-world applications in national security
• Challenges and benefits of integrating AI with existing defense hardware
• Importance of user empathy and real-world testing in AI development
• Integrating a small AI company into a large defense contractor
Connect with Devaki:
• LinkedIn: Devaki Raj
Connect with Tyler:
• LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt
• Website: Second Front Systems
Episode 55. In this episode of All Quiet, Tyler is joined by Eric Slesinger, General Partner at 201 Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm based in Madrid, Spain. 201 Ventures focuses on advancing freedom and autonomy in Europe by backing pre-seed and seed-stage companies in the intelligence, defense, and dual-use technology sectors. Eric, originally from Washington D.C., shares his journey from engineering and intelligence to leading 201 Ventures. Throughout the episode, Tyler and Eric delve into the critical role Europe plays in global security and the evolving dynamics of the defense technology landscape. Eric highlights the shifting focus towards economic competition and the need for Europe to bolster its defense tech capabilities internally. They discuss the increased defense budgets across major European countries, the importance of strategic partnerships, and the need for innovative approaches to address the continent's unique security challenges.
What’s Happening on the Second Front:
Connect with Eric:
Connect with Tyler:
Catch 2F’s Offset Symposium replay here.
Season 3, Episode 54. In this episode of All Quiet, Tyler is joined by Thomas Hendrix, Founder and Managing Partner at Decisive Point, to explore the intersection of venture capital and defense technology. Thomas shares his unique journey from a Special Forces officer in the Army to a finance professional on Wall Street, and ultimately to founding Decisive Point. They dive into the nuances of bringing commercial technology to the defense sector, discussing the challenges and opportunities of dual-use technologies, and the importance of hardware and software integration. Thomas offers insights into the regulatory landscape, the role of government as a first customer, and the critical aspect of empathy and understanding in developing technologies for the defense community.
What’s Happening on the Second Front:
Connect with Thomas:
Connect with Tyler:
Website: secondfront.com
Season 3, Episode 53. Today on All Quiet, Tyler sits down with Steve Bowsher, CEO of In-Q-Tel, to delve into the intricate world of venture capital as it relates to government needs. Steve shares his journey from government consulting to Silicon Valley and ultimately to leading In-Q-Tel. Throughout the episode, they explore the unique challenges and opportunities in aligning the goals of high-quality venture-backed startups with the mission requirements of government agencies. The conversation also touches on the evolving landscape of global threats, the strategic use of commercial technology in national security, and the ongoing efforts to maintain the United States' leadership in technology and defense.
What’s Happening on the Second Front:
Connect with Steve:
Connect with Tyler:
Catch 2F’s Offset Symposium replay here.
Season 3, Episode 52. Today on 'All Quiet,' Tyler welcomes Jacqueline Tame, Executive Director at Silicon Valley Defense Group (SVDG) and Operating Partner at Playground Global, a pioneering venture capital firm specializing in deep tech. In a discussion that spans the intersection of technology, policy, and defense, Jacqueline shares her unique insights into the critical role of venture capital in national security. They delve into how non-dilutive funding and regulatory strategies can propel tech innovations from concept to deployment within government frameworks. Jacqueline discusses her groundbreaking work on GAMECHANGER at the DoD's Joint AI Center and her leadership in pioneering quantum computing initiatives at PsiQuantum. The conversation also covers the importance of bridging the gap between Silicon Valley innovation and Pentagon requirements, highlighting Jacqueline's pivotal role in fostering collaborations that enhance national security.
What’s Happening on the Second Front:
Connect with Jacqueline:
Connect with Tyler:
Catch 2F’s Offset Symposium replay here.
Season 3, Episode 51. In this episode of All Quiet, Second Front Systems’ VP of Security Donnie Hasseltine hosts Matt Conner, chief information security officer (CISO) at Westinghouse Electric Company and independent board director at Second Front Systems. Matt shares his journey into the world of cyber security, from his start at Cape Canaveral Air Station working in information security to his tenure as CISO at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and beyond. The conversation delves into how the role of the CISO has evolved from a niche technical position to a key player in strategic business decisions, reflecting on how cyber security is a crucial component of modern military operations and corporate strategy alike.
What’s Happening on the Second Front:
Connect with Matt:
Connect with Tyler:
Catch 2F’s Offset Symposium replay here.
The podcast currently has 61 episodes available.
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