This Success After Service (SAS) episode features Daniel Gomez, Founder & CEO of First Person Xperience and 23-year Army veteran, returning to GovCon Unscripted for a high-level discussion on modern warfare, doctrine, AI disruption, and the power of simulation-based training.

From EFP innovation in Iraq to drone warfare in Ukraine and generative AI shaping perception in real time, Danny breaks down why technology alone doesn’t win wars, humans do.

This conversation explores:

• Why military planning is fundamentally storytelling

• How simulation and “fictitious play” prepare leaders for chaos

• Why doctrine must evolve, but carefully

• The psychological impact of information warfare

• What GovCon leaders can learn from battlefield adaptability

If you operate in federal contracting, national defense, or emerging tech—this episode reframes how you think about risk, innovation, and strategic decision-making.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to Success After Service series

02:00 – Iran strike discussion & strategic reactions

08:30 – Why technology alone doesn’t win wars

10:45 – The Rhino Mount innovation story

16:00 – Drones, doctrine, and adaptation

19:00 – AI, psyop anime, and perception warfare

25:00 – Storytelling as military planning

31:00 – “The Closest Thing to War” training philosophy

36:00 – Lessons from Ukraine drone footage

39:00 – Building the LAB: Simulation for modern leaders

Resources:

First Person Xperience Website

Daniel's LinkedIn Profile

Chelsea's LinkedIn Profile

🎧 Listen now on:

🔹 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/govcon-unscripted/id1766384482

🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NL0kFAvmgECLTJpUZYNHy

Like and follow us:

🔹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GovConUnscriptedUS

🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govconunscriptedpodcast/

🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/govcon-unscripted/posts/

Join our #govcon #community:

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14618490/

New to GovCon? Here’s a guide:

https://share.hsforms.com/288nO18bsRCCmdJZL66pClwbzmvx

21 AI Prompts to Supercharge Your GovCon BD Engine::

https://collaborativecompositions.com/21-ai-prompts-to-supercharge-your-govcon-bd-engine/

AI Prompt Guide for Federal Contractor Marketing:

https://collaborativecompositions.com/ai-prompt-guide-for-federal-contractor-marketing/

18 AI Prompts to Build Your GovCon Growth Strategy::

https://collaborativecompositions.com/18-ai-prompts-for-govcon-growth-strategy/

In this episode of GovCon Unscripted, Chelsea Roberts sits down with Guy Timberlake, Co-Founder of The American Small Business Coalition, to talk about the myths, misunderstandings, and bad habits that keep government contractors stuck in the messy middle.

Guy shares lessons from nearly four decades in federal contracting, including why most companies chase the wrong opportunities, why RFIs aren’t the starting point, and why contract ceilings don’t mean what most people think they mean. The conversation dives into Ethical Stalking for Government Contractors, the importance of real customer intelligence, and how expectations have changed between primes, subs, and agencies.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to move from reactive bidding to intentional strategy in the federal market.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro

01:00 Guy’s background in federal contracting

05:00 From doing to teaching GovCon strategy

07:30 Why teaming expectations changed

10:00 RFIs, competition, and market shifts

14:00 Iceberg blindness explained

17:00 Easy-button myths in GovCon

20:00 Ethical Stalking framework

23:00 Intelligence vs tools

30:00 Contract ceilings vs real value

33:00 Why context matters in GovCon data

36:00 Always be learning

37:30 How to connect with Guy

Resources

Go-To-Guy Timberlake's LinkedIn Profile

The American Small Business Coalition

Chelsea Roberts's LinkedIn Profile

🎧 Listen now on:

🔹 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/govcon-unscripted/id1766384482

🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NL0kFAvmgECLTJpUZYNHy

Like and follow us:

🔹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GovConUnscriptedUS

🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govconunscriptedpodcast/

🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/govcon-unscripted/posts/

Join our #govcon #community:

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14618490/

New to GovCon? Here’s a guide for you:

https://share.hsforms.com/288nO18bsRCCmdJZL66pClwbzmvx

21 AI Prompts to Supercharge Your GovCon BD Engine:

https://collaborativecompositions.com/21-ai-prompts-to-supercharge-your-govcon-bd-engine/

AI Prompt Guide for Federal Contractor Marketing

https://collaborativecompositions.com/ai-prompt-guide-for-federal-contractor-marketing/

18 AI Prompts to Build Your GovCon Growth Strategy

https://collaborativecompositions.com/18-ai-prompts-for-govcon-growth-strategy/

In this Success After Service (SAS) episode of GovCon Unscripted, Chelsea Roberts sits down with Matt MacGregor, Founder and COO of Creative Defense Network, to talk about the real tension inside defense acquisition moving fast vs staying compliant.

Matt shares lessons from 20+ years inside the Pentagon, working acquisition reform, policy, software pathway rollout, OTAs, and Middle Tier of Acquisition. The conversation breaks down what’s actually slowing the system down, where policy helps, where it hurts, and why leadership, not regulations may be the biggest driver of change.

Topics include:

Acquisition reform reality vs theory

OTAs and why flexibility matters

MTA and software pathway lessons learned

IDIQ strategy problems

Policy vs leadership in reform

Where acquisition is heading next

Timestamps:

01:05 Matt’s background in acquisition

03:38 Being told he was “going too fast”

04:45 MTA and reform efforts

07:12 Creativity requires fewer boundaries

08:35 How MTA is actually used

10:30 Changes to acquisition authority

15:05 Software pathway challenges

20:00 OTAs and flexible contracting

22:03 “OT should be used for pretty much everything”

24:00 IDIQ problems

28:14 Fear of doing it wrong

33:40 Future of acquisition reform

Resources:

Matt MacGregor's LinkedIn Profile

Matt MacGregor's Email Address

Creative Defense Network

Defense Tech and Acquisition

Chelsea Roberts's LinkedIn Profile

🎧 Listen now on:

🔹 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/govcon-unscripted/id1766384482

🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NL0kFAvmgECLTJpUZYNHy

Like and follow us:

🔹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GovConUnscriptedUS

🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govconunscriptedpodcast/

🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/govcon-unscripted/posts/

Join our #govcon #community:

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14618490/

New to GovCon? Here’s a guide for you:

https://share.hsforms.com/288nO18bsRCCmdJZL66pClwbzmvx

21 AI Prompts to Supercharge Your GovCon BD Engine:

https://collaborativecompositions.com/21-ai-prompts-to-supercharge-your-govcon-bd-engine/

AI Prompt Guide for Federal Contractor Marketing

https://collaborativecompositions.com/ai-prompt-guide-for-federal-contractor-marketing/

In this episode of GovCon Unscripted, Chelsea Roberts sits down with Dr. David Bray to discuss why modern threats are moving faster than government acquisition cycles and what that means for contractors, policy makers, and the defense industrial base.

They explore the growing gap between policy and implementation, the risks of long procurement timelines, why agility matters more than ever, and how leadership, joint ventures, and new funding models may shape the future of government contracting.

Timestamps:

01:00 Policy vs implementation

03:20 Governance vs government

06:30 Acquisition speed problems

08:10 Agile vs traditional systems

10:30 Lessons from Ukraine and drones

14:00 Policy changes and execution gaps

18:00 Operational accountability

21:05 Obsolescence risk in procurement

26:20 Responsible heretics and leadership

33:40 Policy changes ahead

37:30 Future of primes and joint ventures

Resources:

Dr. David Bray's LinkedIn Profile

Stimson Center

Chelsea Roberts's LinkedIn Profile

🎧 Listen now on:

🔹 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/govcon-unscripted/id1766384482

🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NL0kFAvmgECLTJpUZYNHy

Like and follow us:

🔹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GovConUnscriptedUS

🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govconunscriptedpodcast/

🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/govcon-unscripted/posts/

Join our #govcon #community:

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14618490/

New to GovCon? Here’s a guide for you:

https://share.hsforms.com/288nO18bsRCCmdJZL66pClwbzmvx

21 AI Prompts to Supercharge Your GovCon BD Engine:

https://collaborativecompositions.com/21-ai-prompts-to-supercharge-your-govcon-bd-engine/

AI Prompt Guide for Federal Contractor Marketing

https://collaborativecompositions.com/ai-prompt-guide-for-federal-contractor-marketing/

In this episode of GovCon Unscripted, Chelsea Roberts interviews Eric Coffie, Founder of GovCon Giants, about authority-building in federal contracting, 8(a) strategy shifts, content positioning, and why proximity to DC changes everything.

If you're navigating government contracting in 2025 and beyond, this episode covers:

• 8(a) program strategy

• Federal market contraction & opportunity

• FAR changes & regulatory evolution

• GovCon content marketing strategy

• The power of deep focus

• How to build visibility without hype

This episode is designed for serious GovCon professionals ready to move from noise to authority.

Timestamps:

01:00 – Eric’s mission and move to DC

05:00 – Cutting through AI noise

08:00 – Thumbnail strategy & YouTube growth

11:00 – The power of asking for help

17:00 – Focus and productivity

21:00 – Why proximity to DC matters

28:00 – FAR overhaul discussion

33:00 – Why now may be the time for 8(a)

36:00 – The shrinking contractor pool opportunity

40:00 – What’s next

Resources:

Eric Coffie's LinkedIn page

GovCon Giants

Chelsea Roberts's LinkedIn page

🎧 Listen now on:

🔹 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/govcon-unscripted/id1766384482

🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NL0kFAvmgECLTJpUZYNHy

Like and follow us:

🔹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GovConUnscriptedUS

🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govconunscriptedpodcast/

🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/govcon-unscripted/posts/

Join our #govcon #community:

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14618490/

New to GovCon? Here’s a guide for you:

https://share.hsforms.com/288nO18bsRCCmdJZL66pClwbzmvx

21 AI Prompts to Supercharge Your GovCon BD Engine:

https://collaborativecompositions.com/21-ai-prompts-to-supercharge-your-govcon-bd-engine/

AI Prompt Guide for Federal Contractor Marketing

https://collaborativecompositions.com/ai-prompt-guide-for-federal-contractor-marketing/

#govcon #governmentcontracting #8a #federalcontracts #smallbusiness #procurement #entrepreneurship #businessgrowth

What happens when a Special Operations veteran decides the future of national defense depends on creativity?

In this Success After Service (SAS) Special Episode of GovCon Unscripted, Chelsea Roberts sits down with Daniel Gomez, Founder & CEO of First Person Xperience, to explore why creativity is rewarded on the battlefield, but punished in garrison. And why that mindset gap may be costing more than we realize.

From Civil Affairs and JSOU instruction to building immersive national defense simulations, Danny shares how experiential learning, controlled failure, and scenario design can reshape how the defense community prepares for future conflict.

They discuss:

• Why we’re always preparing for yesterday’s war
• The failure of imagination cited in the 9/11 report
• How immersive training changes retention and decision-making
• The AI experiment that left leaders “woefully unprepared”
• Why innovation gaps between adversaries matter
• Building The Lab: a national defense creativity engine

Timestamps:

02:15 – Danny’s transition from Active Duty to Founder

06:40 – What “First Person Experience” actually means

11:10 – Immersion vs. virtual training

16:35 – “Creativity is rewarded on the battlefield and punished in garrison”

22:20 – Fighting yesterday’s war

27:05 – The failure of imagination problem

31:40 – The AI scenario experiment (Project Genesis)

39:10 – Trust, control, and no-win futures

Resources:

Daniel Gomez's LinkedIn Profile

First Person Xperience Website

Chelsea Roberts's LinkedIn Profile

🎧 Listen now on:

🔹 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/govcon-unscripted/id1766384482

🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NL0kFAvmgECLTJpUZYNHy

Like and follow us:

🔹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GovConUnscriptedUS

🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govconunscriptedpodcast/

🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/govcon-unscripted/posts/

Join our #govcon #community:

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14618490/

New to GovCon? Here’s a guide for you:

https://share.hsforms.com/288nO18bsRCCmdJZL66pClwbzmvx

21 AI Prompts to Supercharge Your GovCon BD Engine:

https://collaborativecompositions.com/21-ai-prompts-to-supercharge-your-govcon-bd-engine/

AI Prompt Guide for Federal Contractor Marketing

https://collaborativecompositions.com/ai-prompt-guide-for-federal-contractor-marketing/

In this episode of GovCon Unscripted, Chelsea Roberts sits down with Rebecca Link, Chief Growth Officer at OneGlobe, to unpack what is changing and what is not in modern government contracting.

From proposal management to orals coaching, Rebecca shares how personality, ownership, and execution are becoming even more critical in an AI-enabled GovCon environment.

This episode is a masterclass in blending technology, execution, and human ownership in today’s competitive federal landscape.

Timestamps:

02:18 – How Rebecca Found GovCon

07:45 – Proposal Management vs. Orals Coaching

14:52 – Coaching Engineers & Presentation Mindset

24:20 – Are PowerPoints Dead?

34:58 – “You can’t AI an oral presentation.”

37:09 – “Orals is the only way to get at that real true level of talent.”

Resources:

Rebecca Link's LinkedIn page

OneGlobe

Chelsea Roberts's LinkedIn page

🎧 Listen now on:

🔹 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/govcon-unscripted/id1766384482

🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NL0kFAvmgECLTJpUZYNHy

Like and follow us:

🔹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GovConUnscriptedUS

🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govconunscriptedpodcast/

🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/govcon-unscripted/posts/

Join our #govcon #community:

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14618490/

New to GovCon? Here’s a guide for you:

https://share.hsforms.com/288nO18bsRCCmdJZL66pClwbzmvx

21 AI Prompts to Supercharge Your GovCon BD Engine:

https://collaborativecompositions.com/21-ai-prompts-to-supercharge-your-govcon-bd-engine/

In this episode of GovCon Unscripted, Chelsea Roberts sits down with Jeff Shapiro, Partner at CohnReznick, to unpack what DCAA audits actually focus on and what contractors often get wrong.

Jeff explains why materiality matters more than penny-level perfection, how audit risk really shows up in cost-reimbursable contracts, and why “follow the funding” is one of the most dangerous habits in government accounting. They also dig into LPTA risk, soft fraud in time charging, and why commercial companies struggle when they enter cost-based contracting.

This episode is essential listening for contractors navigating DCAA audits, cost allocation, commercial-to-government transitions, and compliance culture.

Timestamps:

01:12 – Jeff Shapiro’s GovCon background

05:48 – What DCAA actually does

12:06 – The 3-cent check story

14:42 – Why materiality matters

22:10 – Proposal costs vs. contract scope

32:18 – “Follow the funding” risks

Resources:

Jeff Shapiro's LinkedIn page

CohnReznick GovCon Resources

Chelsea Roberts's LinkedIn page

🎧 Listen now on:

🔹 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/govcon-unscripted/id1766384482

🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NL0kFAvmgECLTJpUZYNHy

Like and follow us:

🔹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GovConUnscriptedUS

🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govconunscriptedpodcast/

🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/govcon-unscripted/posts/

Join our #govcon #community:

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14618490/

New to GovCon? Here’s a guide for you:

https://share.hsforms.com/288nO18bsRCCmdJZL66pClwbzmvx

21 AI Prompts to Supercharge Your GovCon BD Engine:

https://collaborativecompositions.com/21-ai-prompts-to-supercharge-your-govcon-bd-engine/

In this episode of GovCon Unscripted, Chelsea Roberts sits down with Michelle Burnett, President and Founder of Rooted in Resilience Wellness and newly appointed Vice Chair of the HUBZone Contractors National Council, for a deep conversation on what the HUBZone program was truly designed to do and where execution has gone off course.

Michelle explains why HUBZone was never meant to be a compliance exercise or a goal-checking mechanism, but a community-driven economic engine rooted in geographic investment, workforce stability, and local multiplier effects. Drawing on her 15+ years inside the federal small business ecosystem, she breaks down how acquisition strategies, not small businesses, have undermined the program’s intent and what reform could look like if policymakers, agencies, and contractors realigned around mission over metrics.

This episode explores economic revitalization, public-private partnerships, workforce health, and why community infrastructure must be part of acquisition strategy conversations if HUBZone is going to survive increased scrutiny.

Timestamps:

03:10 – Michelle’s return to HUBZone leadership as Vice Chair

08:45 – What HUBZone was designed to fix in the U.S. economy

14:30 – The multiplier effect and why geography matters

22:05 – Where acquisition strategy diverged from program intent

31:40 – Fraud narratives vs. structural procurement issues

41:10 – Why reform matters more than preservation

Resources Mentioned:

Michelle Burnett's LinkedIn page

HUBZone Contractors National Council

Chelsea Roberts's LinkedIn page

🎧 Listen now on:

🔹 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/govcon-unscripted/id1766384482

🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NL0kFAvmgECLTJpUZYNHy

Like and follow us:

🔹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GovConUnscriptedUS

🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govconunscriptedpodcast/

🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/govcon-unscripted/posts/

Join our #govcon #community:

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14618490/

New to GovCon? Here’s a guide for you:

https://share.hsforms.com/288nO18bsRCCmdJZL66pClwbzmvx

21 AI Prompts to Supercharge Your GovCon BD Engine:

https://collaborativecompositions.com/21-ai-prompts-to-supercharge-your-govcon-bd-engine/

Join Chelsea Roberts on GovCon Unscripted for our new Success After Service special episode as she sits down with Brittinay Shaw, Marketing & Communications Executive at E&M Technologies. From jet engine mechanic and DoD flight attendant to recruitment marketing powerhouse, Brittinay shares her journey of translating military precision into branding, culture, and social media strategies that help government contractors thrive.

Learn how to:

• Leverage military experience in a civilian career
• Build authentic company culture for recruitment and retention
• Use social media strategically in GovCon without crossing compliance lines

Timestamps:

• 01:15 – Brittinay’s Air Force journey: Jet engines & DoD flight attendant
• 05:40 – Transition to civilian life & career in MarCom
• 10:30 – Lessons from the military applied to marketing & recruitment
• 15:50 – The psychology of social media and branding in GovCon
• 23:10 – Influencer marketing & C-suite content strategy
• 30:05 – Attracting talent & teaming partners in government contracting
• 36:50 – Advice for veterans & transitioning military personnel

Resources:

• Brittinay Shaw
• E&M Technologies
• Chelsea Roberts
• Collaborative Compositions

Subscribe, share, and follow for more Success After Service stories!

🎧 Listen now on:

🔹 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/govcon-unscripted/id1766384482

🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NL0kFAvmgECLTJpUZYNHy

Like and follow us:

🔹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GovConUnscriptedUS

🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govconunscriptedpodcast/

🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/govcon-unscripted/posts/

Join our #govcon #community:

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14618490/

New to GovCon? Here’s a guide for you:

https://share.hsforms.com/288nO18bsRCCmdJZL66pClwbzmvx

21 AI Prompts to Supercharge Your GovCon BD Engine:

https://collaborativecompositions.com/21-ai-prompts-to-supercharge-your-govcon-bd-engine/