Hardpoints

Neal lands a lead investor—unlocking insider commitments and government matching funds—buying his company ~18 months of runway and hard-won momentum. Mike talks small-team turbulence and a parenting weekend that went sideways (bee sting + campout sushi). From there, the guys dive into the energy-policy whiplash hitting wind projects and what it signals for U.S. energy security and AI-driven load growth. Then they zoom out: memes, militarization, and a six-point “authoritarian playbook” (undermining norms, information control, polarization/scapegoating, weakening rule of law, cult of personality, and crisis exploitation). They wrestle with the legality of domestic Guard deployments, whether institutions will hold through 2026, and the real-world burden on officers asked to refuse illegal orders.

In this episode of Hardpoints, Mike and Neal weave personal stories—like sleepless nights, scout projects, and time outdoors—into heavier discussions on U.S. politics, national security, and the economy. They critique the deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. as a troubling sign of authoritarian overreach, debate the implications of a proposed government stake in Intel, and unpack Trump’s approach to Russia and Ukraine. Along the way, they highlight the fragility of democratic institutions, the danger of moral compromise, and the importance of individual responsibility. The episode closes with personal reflections on service, youth mentorship, and building tools for climate literacy.

This week on Hardpoints, Mike returns from an epic, no-internet, log-hopping backpacking trip in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, while Neal hustles through high-stakes fundraising and startup networking in Austin. The two dive into a whirlwind of hot-button issues—from Trump’s military moves in D.C., Epstein-fueled political distractions, and the looming Putin summit in Alaska, to Israel’s Gaza strategy, wildfire devastation in the West, and the dangerous heat building in the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way, they debate the future of ESG, swap takes on GPT-5, and flag a brewing Supreme Court fight over same-sex marriage. Equal parts adventure recap, unfiltered political analysis, and tech talk—this episode is as unpredictable as the news cycle itself.

In this fiery and deeply personal episode of Hard Points, Mike and Neal dive into the illusion of leadership in American politics, kicking off with a sobering analysis of the proposed "Golden Dome" missile defense system and why it’s more fantasy than feasible.

They chart the rise of China in advanced manufacturing and warn of America’s self-inflicted industrial decline. The duo laments the Democratic Party’s tone-deaf messaging, misplaced priorities, and inability to meet the moment—especially as the country faces real economic and social crossroads. 

Along the way, they touch on everything from trans rights and national security to rail infrastructure and the politics of distraction. Raw, unscripted, and urgent, this episode is a call for vision, coherence, and actual leadership in a time of crisis.

Conspiracy theories thrive where the official story falls flat—when the world feels rigged, unfair, or just off. This episode of Hardpoints meets that unease head-on. We unpack the real forces behind the chaos—from missing Epstein files to chemtrail hearings and tech fraud—and explore why the loudest voices offering answers are often selling something. Because the truth? It's messier, less cinematic—but far more important to face.

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This episode of Hardpoints explores the intersection of power—political, economic, and literal. Mike and Neal dissect how America's priorities are shifting: ICE receives a staggering budget increase while climate-fueled disasters gut the insurance industry, startups navigate rising costs and wealth concentration, and tech giants buy into speculative energy futures like fusion. Against this backdrop, they debate the balance between liberty and control, question the integrity of markets, and share hope that innovation—especially in energy—might still deliver progress, if equity and urgency can catch up with capital.

In Episode 14, Mike Smith and Neal Rickner return from vacation into a week of devastating headlines: a deadly ambush on firefighters in Idaho, catastrophic flooding in Texas, and the passage of a sweeping GOP-backed bill that slashes social and scientific funding. They dig into the failures of mental health care, climate preparedness, and political courage—all while reflecting on leadership, legacy, and the importance of community. From energy policy to public service, it’s a powerful look at where the country is heading—and what we can still do about it.

Explore the evolving nature of modern warfare, where strategic missteps, the growing influence of tech giants, and the escalating threat of climate change collide. Through an unflinching look at Silicon Valley's entrance into global defense and the emergence of climate change as a national security concern, Neal & Mike reveal a complex and often perplexing future shaped by technology, strategy, and the planet’s survival.

In this episode of *Hardpoints*, Mike and Neal tackle the AI talent wars, Meta’s failed grab at Safe Superintelligence, and the absurdity of their $30B valuations. They critically discuss Elon Musk’s erratic behavior, SpaceX flops, and Tesla’s stagnation, then dive into escalating U.S.–Iran tensions and the risks of Middle East entanglement. All while the planet roasts under historic heat waves — even in Alaska.

Asymmetric threats continue to expand, whether its the use of drones, cybertechnology, climate, espionage, or terrorism. The interaction is quickly leaving America behind, but its our dysfunctional government that is leaving us most at risk.

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Guest: Michael McNerney is a technology entrepreneur and military veteran with a primary focus on cybersecurity. He currently works as the SVP for Security at Resilience. Previously, he led the threat intelligence business at Arbor Networks and was the Co-founder & CEO of Efflux Systems, a cybersecurity startup focused on advanced network analytics (acquired by Arbor Networks).

Mike has also served as a Cyber Policy Advisor in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, where he drafted and negotiated key pieces of federal legislation through the congressional process and worked with defense industry, internet service providers and tech companies to develop cybersecurity programs. Prior to that position, Mike worked in the U.S. State Department, where he pioneered rule of law and economic development programs in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

Mike is an affiliate at the Stanford Center for International Security and Cooperation, the Chair & Co-founder of Institute for Security and Technology, and a Board Member of Vets-in-Tech. He graduated from the University of California, Davis, and earned his J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law.