The Adrenaline Zone

On this episode of The Adrenaline Zone, Sandy and Sandra delve into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) with guest Gilman Louie. As a former video game designer turned venture capitalist, Gilman brings valuable insights into the current state of AI, including the emergence of Generative AI and algorithm Chat GPT, which can generate text that seems indistinguishable from what a human could produce. Together, our trio touches on the potential risks and benefits associated with AI's continued development, from its ability to revolutionize industries to the possibility of machines falling out of control or being used against us.

Gilman provides expert analysis on the ethical implications of creating machines that can mimic human behavior, emphasizing the importance of investing in the soft sciences, such as sociology and psychology, to better understand the social impacts of these technologies. He also highlights the need for a more thoughtful and coordinated approach to AI implementation, involving academia, governments, and tech companies working together to build safer and more trustworthy systems. With Gilman's experience as a venture capitalist and his involvement in In-Q-Tel, a venture capital firm associated with the Central Intelligence Agency, the episode provides valuable insights into the potential benefits and challenges of AI. Ultimately, his conversation with our hosts here today serves as a reminder of the importance of thoughtful implementation and regulation of emerging technologies to ensure a better future for all.

The Finer Details of this Episode:

Quotes:

"Generative AI's emergence has brought into sharper focus debates over what computers can do and should be allowed to do, and how this capability might be used against us or even fall out of control completely."

"If you haven't seen it on Star Trek, it's probably not worth inventing."

"AI safety, AI security, AI trust and confidence will lead a whole new industry to be built around these series of technologies."

"Dumb systems actually do a lot more harm than smarter systems."

"The soft sciences is really what represents what's going on between our two ears."

"We need to kind of go very thoughtfully into this next decade, and we need to really think very hard about how we apply these technologies and how we put up the appropriate guardrails."

"We need to draw on those bodies of literature as a thought experiment that's been going on for the last close to 70, 80 years."

"AI will affect us in our lives in so many different profound ways, from how we work, how we live, to how we play, to how we interact."

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High Sea Hazards with CAPT Cynthia Robson

Captain Cynthia Robson finds herself in The Adrenaline Zone today to discuss with Sandy and Sandra the exciting world of operating merchant ships at sea and details from her career in the field. Along the way, she also touches upon such topics as the risks associated with piracy, the challenges of rough weather, and the unique difficulties that come with being a woman in a male-dominated industry. The complexity of operating different types of ships, the benefits of crew diversity, and the unique opportunity of booking a cabin on a merchant marine ship are examined as well during this fascinating episode.

As the conversation unfolds, Captain Robson highlights her experiences that range from sailing on ocean races to leading a joint training cruise with cadets from the United States and the Soviet Union after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Captain Robson speaks candidly about the challenges of being the only female cadet and facing sexist remarks from male colleagues while also noting the increasing opportunities for women in the industry and her work at the US Merchant Academy. Captain Cynthia Robson's experiences and insights, as shared here today, offer a rare glimpse into the world of merchant mariners, a profession that often operates under the radar, and they provide a captivating listen for anyone interested in adventure, overcoming challenges, and thriving in The Adrenaline Zone.

The Finer Details of this Episode:

Quotes:

"I was told that I could be an apprentice or be an applicant, but I could never be a book member because they were never going to allow women in the Merchant Marine.”

"When you graduate from a state academy or also from the federal academy, you graduate with a degree, and you also graduate with a third mate license."

"If you're working a one for one schedule, you have to accrue a year's sea time and you work for usually two years to get a year's sea time."

"The advantage of Military Sealift Command is that you gather sea time and you raise your license a lot faster."

"The reason the captain had been yelling is because there were some pirates up on the bridge and they had a machete and they were going after him with a machete."

"We had our own Beaufort scale. And I just remember at force five, it said, 'Joggers must stay indoors.'”

"So I was going to my ship... and one of them asked me, 'What ship are you going to?' And I said, 'the Jamestown.' He said, 'I'm so glad. We needed a good cook.'"

"Risk mitigation is huge... the most important thing is to be prepared and to know your risks." - 

"It takes a lot of expertise to sail tall ships.”

"Almost anyone in the Navy would tell you that when we started bringing women on aircraft carriers, it changed the culture of the ship in a good way."

"The more women on board ship, the better the crew, and the better the crews get." 

"Booking a cabin on a merchant ship - I would totally recommend it."

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This week, Sandra and Sandy host Lt. Col. Ed Yeilding, a former SR-71 pilot who famously flew the plane on over 90 worldwide reconnaissance missions. Their discussion begins with a look at the development of the SR-71 and how it was a response to the need for better photographic reconnaissance during the Cold War. From there, Yeilding goes on to share his experience of growing up in Florence, Alabama, how he became an Air Force pilot, and the unique construction and design of the plane that allowed it to fly at such high speeds.

He then provides further insight into the experience of flying the SR-71 Blackbird, including the fact that, despite rigorous simulator training, the airplane was prone to malfunctions. He also discusses his final flight in the SR-71, shares his experiences with JT Vida - the test RSO assigned to fly with him to the Smithsonian - and explains the purpose of the speed record flight. Today’s fascinating episode provides an inside look into the SR-71 Blackbird including its enormous contribution to the country for over 25 years, and serves as a powerful testament to the skill and bravery required by Lt. Col. Ed Yeilding and his colleagues to pilot this incredible machine.

The Finer Details of this Episode:

Quotes:

"I really wanted to fly the Blackbird. I had my eyes on it since I was 15 years old when it was announced by President Johnson in 1964."

"During that time, I lost six friends in accidents, practicing for the defense of our freedom."

"It was not designed to be stealthy. It was designed to be faster than anything else in the air and higher than anything else in the air.”

"By the time we had our first flight, we were nearly experts in the airplane just due to all that simulator training."

"Our longest routine missions were five and a half hours."

"We did have an ejection seat similar to most any air fighter, and we had a parachute."

"It was a wonderful airplane to fly, but there was a lot more to it than just flying. It was a true team effort. Every person on the crew, and every person supporting the crew, had to be really, really good."

"So we wanted to do our very best to represent all the Blackbird community in that speed record flight across the country to the Smithsonian."

"And that would call the public's attention to what a great airplane it has been for our country for 25 years. So that was the purpose of the speed record.”

Links:

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David Duncan, CEO of Silver Oak Cellars, joins Sandra and Sandy on the podcast today to discuss the art, science, and risks of winemaking. Their conversation covers topics such as the difficulties associated with winemaking, the risks involved, and the sustainable practices and technological advancements that are shaping the industry. David shares his family's entrepreneurial background, recounts how he was drawn to the farming aspect of winemaking, and describes the process of making wine, from planting vines to releasing a new vintage. 

The episode also explores the attraction of risk-taking and adrenaline, as David, a successful winemaker, stage musician, and philanthropist, shares his thoughts on how he manages risk-taking in both his personal and professional life. He and our hosts then touch on the duality of risk-takers - their ability to focus on risk-taking while also being able to detach themselves from it -  as well as the importance of building resilience and adapting to change. In addition to providing a fascinating exploration into the world of winemaking, today’s episode offers a unique perspective on risk-taking, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in thriving, as David does, at the intersection of tradition and innovation.

The Finer Details of this Episode:

Quotes:

"Making high quality wine is a difficult business that combines both art and science."

"The farming part of the wine business is what attracted me."

"I'm more of a business person, and I've gotten a lot of experience now."

"We think today that we use about 30% of the water that we did ten or 15 years ago." 

"We welcome rain all the time."

"You have a little bit of an attraction to adrenaline and risk-taking in general as well."

"Well, risk-taking comes in many forms, and getting up in front of a huge crowd of people as a musician is certainly one of them."

"They've got this sort of juxtaposition of intense focus on the risk, but at the same time detaching from it."

"And I think people who deal with risk on a basis all the time, their ability to roll with the punches and not let it take you down gets refined, and they get to be experts at that, whether you're a bull rider or a mountain skier or mountain climber."

"So you're not only a successful winemaker and a musician... But one of the great things, David, I like about you is that you believe in philanthropy and you do a lot of philanthropic work..."

"Silver Oak in particular has become a family tradition... that's been really gratifying to see."

"Good wine will go good on cornflakes, too, right?"

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In this episode of The Adrenaline Zone, Sandra and Sandy sit down with former Acting/Deputy Director of the CIA and host of the Intelligence Matters podcast, Michael Morell - a man with a wealth of experience on the analytical side of the CIA, advising presidents and other senior leaders during crises and critical national security decisions. Together, our hosts seek to uncover the risks involved in the intelligence business as Michael  shares his story of how he entered the field and his experiences working in this high-stakes environment. His experiences as a valued advisor, a review of the CIA's capabilities, and the role of the intelligence community in protecting national security are all discussed here today. Morell also highlights the importance of ethical decision-making in the intelligence business, as well as the risks and challenges facing the community today.

Our esteemed guest goes on to provide a first-hand account of what it's like to be a Presidential Daily Briefing contributor and the immense responsibility that comes with the job. He recounts an anecdote where what he presented to the President resulted in a change in US policy, and he also shares his experience of being with President Bush on the day of the 9/11 attacks, highlighting the surreal and intense nature of the day. As both a witness to and participant in unfolding moments of historical importance, Michael Morell offers listeners here today a rare glimpse into the life of an intelligence analyst. His powerful insights and thought-provoking anecdotes as shared with Sandy and Sandra in this truly spellbinding episode, provide a deeper understanding not only of the intelligence community, but also its crucial role in safeguarding national security.

The Finer Details of this Episode:

Quotes:

"The intelligence community's role is to provide objective, accurate, timely information to policymakers to help them make decisions to protect our national security."

"The most important thing we can do is to tell the truth to the policymakers and be objective about it."

"One of the things we learn as analysts is to be comfortable with ambiguity."

"It's a tough business, and the risks are significant, but I felt like I was part of a family that really cared about me."

"We want to do everything we can to protect our national security, but we also want to protect the privacy and the civil liberties of Americans."

"The world is an incredibly complicated place. One nation alone can't solve the problems, one military alone can't solve the problems, and one intelligence service alone can't solve the problems. So it's a team sport."

"There needs to be an openness to using that data, gathering that data, buying that data, and then there needs to be a greater openness to the use of tools that can sit on top of all of your data and help you identify information that you might not have found on your own."

"Intelligence relationships tend to be bilateral because they're based on trust."

Links:

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Intelligence Matters

Sandra and Sandy are back and today they welcome professional adventurer, Jeb Corliss, to the podcast for a truly fascinating conversation. Jeb has dedicated his life to BASE jumping, and wingsuit proximity flying, and our hosts begin by reviewing some of his impressive accomplishments in these areas. They also chat with Jeb about his childhood, how he became interested in skydiving and base jumping, and the mindset required for these activities. Jeb reveals that he lost his dreams during his teenage years, which led him to become depressed and suicidal, and details how he discovered his passion for base jumping which has been pursuing ever since. 

Together with our hosts, Jeb discusses how the drive to push boundaries and evolve our capabilities as human beings can be seen in these sports, with technology enabling us to do this at a much faster rate. He goes on to recount his adrenaline filled experiences as a base jumper and wingsuit pilot, and shares his passion for flying over landmarks and iconic objects, describing some of his most impressive feats, such as flying down both of the great pyramids in Egypt. He also explains the technical difficulties and challenges of these jumps and his love for photography and videography. Noting that his passion for these extreme sports has given him a unique perspective on life and a willingness to sacrifice everything for them, today’s special guest provides interesting insights not only into the logistics and challenges of these sports but also the existential revelations they can generate.

NOTE: this conversation contains in-depth discussion on suicidal ideation.

The Finer Details of this Episode:

Quotes:

"If you can find happiness in your life doing anything else, do anything else."

"Adults are constantly—I think it's their job, obviously, to teach children about the world and what you can and cannot do. And I don't think they purposely step on dreams."

"I'm never nervous, because the moment you're nervous, you're done."

"I can feel my heart beating in my ears, and everything's like hyper-real, and it's just a very, very unique moment."

"My goal is to try to push the boundaries of what human beings are capable of doing. Right? It's like an evolutionary step."

"We just were figuring it out."

"It's really given me a life in a way that I can't even express. And it's made me a very happy person. And it's very special to me because I've gotten to see things from such a special way, and it's given me a life. I mean, it's given me my life."

"If for some reason, in the next whatever jumps, it gets taken from me, then it was worth it. It's all worth it, because I'm willing to sacrifice everything because it's given me everything."

"Everything just goes tunnel vision to my target."

"All of a sudden, it kind of boiled life down to what was important, which was time. That's all that mattered. Nothing else meant anything."

"And it was a fascinating thought process because I knew I couldn't make it. Like, there's no way you could hit ground at that speed and survive."

Links:

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Jeb's Homepage

Memoirs from the Edge

Risky Business with Serial Entrepreneur Tom Noonan

In today’s episode of The Adrenaline Zone, Sandra and Sandy Winnefeld welcome serial entrepreneur Tom Noonan to the podcast. Tom shares his experiences starting businesses from scratch and offers insights and lessons learned for those interested in taking risks to achieve success. He discusses the importance of having a good idea, the value of surrounding oneself with a strong team, and the need to adapt and pivot in the face of challenges. Tom also touches on the importance of giving back and helping others learn from his experiences.

During their conversation, Tom talks about the challenges he has faced and how he overcame them, including the dotcom bubble burst and the 9/11 attacks. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining culture in a business as it grows, and the need to evolve the culture while still holding onto core values. Our guest then shares his experiences with the culture at Internet Security Solutions as it experienced significant growth, and the contrast between the culture at ISS and the culture at IBM. He also shares his thoughts on the importance of having a strong vision, and the role of leadership in building and maintaining culture.Tom concludes by emphasizing the importance of pursuing risk and opportunities, the value of keeping the "child inside" alive, and the power of having a strong vision

The Finer Details of this Episode:

Quotes:

"I guess it all started at a really young age...I got my first paper route when I was about seven years old and delivered the paper before school."

"I really think those early experiences put me on the track to say, 'Hey, this is kind of fun to do it yourself.'"

"I think having a good idea is important, but it's not the whole ballgame."

"I've learned that you've got to have a good team around you...I think it's one of the key success factors in starting and running a business."

"You've got to be willing to pivot and change course."

"We started Endgame in response to the 9/11 attacks...we saw a need in the market and we were able to fill it."

"I think it's important to give back and help others succeed...I've enjoyed teaching and mentoring a lot of young entrepreneurs over the years."

"I think the age-old principles of leadership and culture apply regardless of what you're building or operating."

"The culture has to evolve."

“I think some of the age-old principles of working as a team and leaning on one another for support, putting customers' interests first, focusing on solutions and how to improve, as opposed to dwelling on obstacles or reasons why you can't get done, all those are founding tenets of great culture."

"When we got to IBM, it was very clear to me how different that culture was, because at ISS we were always pursuing opportunities, which meant we were pursuing risk."

"The difference in what a 120-year-old bureaucracy is like as opposed to a 15-year-old bureaucracy."

"Some of the early shenanigans that occurred in companies, I spent three decades trying to forget."

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Professional bull rider Shane Proctor joins Sandy and Sandra on the podcast today to discuss both the dangers and thrill of his exciting sport. Often referred to as the "most dangerous 8 seconds in sports," bull riding requires riders to stay on the bull for at least 8 seconds while holding onto a rope and with one hand free. In this episode, Proctor, who hails from Grand Coulee, Washington, shares his journey into the sport, and discusses the injuries he has sustained and the challenges he faces as a bull rider.

He begins by talking about how he got his start in the sport at a young age, traveling with his father to rodeos and learning to ride bulls and rope calves. Shane then reviews some of the injuries he has sustained and how he has persevered through the pain to continue competing, and provides an overview of the sport including details regarding the bulls involved, techniques and equipment involved, and how the judging works. He also goes on to highlight the importance of mental preparation and staying focused in the face of danger, the thrill of the sport, and the rush of adrenaline he experiences when he's in the arena. Shane finishes up this fascinating conversation by sharing details about the different types of trick riding acts that his wife, Haley, performs, and offering his perspective on both the future of the sport and the resurgence of interest in the Western lifestyle.

The Finer Details of this Episode:

Quotes:

"I actually had six broken ribs, and then I had the laceration on my lung and had a hole in the lung. And after a five-day hospital stay, I was able to get out and we're getting to feeling better."

"You’ve got to make a living and got to kind of push the limits when the end of your season is coming up."

"Mental toughness is probably one of the biggest things in bull riding, more so than any other sport."

"The future of bull riding is going to be technology. It's going to be making it safer for the cowboys and the bulls."

"We all support each other and we all want each other to do well. It's a unique camaraderie that we have."

"Their job is to get you on the ground. Their job is to do what nature intends for them to do."

"I want to be the best in the world, and I want to be remembered as the best in the world."

"It's important to give back to your community, to your rodeo committees, to your rodeo producers."

"It is a rhythm. And you can pick up, like I was talking earlier, about the leads of the bulls. You can pick up which way they step and which way they feel, and you can actually feel which way they're going to turn by the way their feet are planted."

"Mandatory, we all wear a vest. And it's not a bulletproof vest or anything like that. It's a hard shell, and then there's padding around it."

"There's no straps, she's not tied on. She moves around, she turns around backwards, and she weaves these fire torches."

"She stands up in the hippodrome straps, carrying an American flag with pyro. And she actually won a world title championship in that, I think, about eight years ago."

"It's a business decision for me. The less I get hurt, the more I can ride, the more money I can make."

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Shane's PBR Profile

In today’s episode of The Adrenaline Zone, Sandra and Sandy welcome veteran ski patroller, avalanche expert, and Assistant Director of Ski Patrol on Aspen Mountain, Samantha Haberman, to the podcast. Together, they delve into the intricate and high-stakes world of ski patrol and avalanche control, the physical and mental challenges of working in harsh, high-altitude environments and the importance of risk management in her line of work. Their conversation also touches on Haberman's personal journey to becoming a ski patroller, including her background in Aspen and her decision to take a solo bike trip across the country after college.

Throughout the interview, they look at the various techniques and tools used to mitigate the risk of avalanches, including the use of explosives, ski cuts, and skier compaction, as well as the importance of self-care for ski patrollers. The diverse and dynamic role of ski patrollers, including their responsibilities in emergency medical care and lift evacuations is also examined, and Samantha shares some of her experiences responding to medical incidents on the mountains, some of her most memorable and unusual experiences as a ski patroller, and the importance of being prepared for the unexpected. They conclude today’s fascinating episode by highlighting both the challenges and rewards of working in this field, the tight-knit culture of ski patrollers, the importance of trust and humility in the job, and the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated profession. 

The Finer Details of this Episode:

Quotes:

"I was actually extremely bookish and I loved reading and sitting by the fire. Then I went to college and when I graduated, all of my classmates seemed to have plans. They were going to grad school or they had prime jobs already. And I did not. And I panicked a little."

"So, half of my family was talking to me at the time, and the other half was like, 'we're like cutting you off because that's super dangerous.'"

"Risk management is crucial in ski patrol, as it involves ensuring the safety of skiers while also maintaining the integrity of the mountain."

"The work of ski patrol involves a combination of physical labor and decision-making under pressure."

"So we ensure that we get a good explosion, which is what we're looking for."

"Mental and physical self-care is important for ski patrollers who work in high-stress environments."

"Mountain conditions and weather can change rapidly and ski patrollers must be adaptable."

"It varies every time, so you don't know exactly what you're going into."

"I've been in an incident where you're holding a blanket over a paramedic so that they can intubate somebody."

"Going out with explosives definitely puts you on your game."

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Samantha Haberman LinkedIn

In today’s very special episode, Sandy and Sandra are joined for the first segment by the one and only Santa Claus to discuss his annual toy delivery and the risks associated with it. Santa explains the logistics of North Pole operations and the challenges they have faced due to labor shortages and supply chain issues. While so many details of Santa’s operation are understandably considered classified, he is able to shed some light on the incredible work he, Mrs.Claus, and the elves perform each year, while also stressing the importance of maintaining PPI to protect children’s personal data.

Our hosts then have the opportunity to speak with General Glen VanHerck, Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), as well as US Northern Command, who shares details on the role his team plays in tracking Santa on his journey each year. The General also goes on to explain how this mission started, how it has evolved over the years, and how listeners can access the NORAD Tracks Santa program.

The Finer Details of this Episode:

Quotes:

"We have to come up with about 2 billion toys a year, maybe a little bit fewer because of the little naughty ones, but that's not such a big number."

"I mean, ever since the great elf resignation, it's been tougher than blazes to get elves." 

"If we were down there, we'd be up to our butts in elves, but we can't do that because the FAA won't let us fly over the 48 states. You know, they won't give us the permission. And then there's the whole labor thing.”

“We are a risk manager's nightmare here. I'll tell you; we have a risk oversight committee, and we've got representatives from all the various health departments, and, you know, we’ve got air traffic control risks, we have risks of all those little reindeer hooves damaging roof tiles-- oh, the insurance company is all over us for that - we're working through that. We've got technology risks, you know, the sleigh is a very sophisticated piece of equipment, 

"I'm up here in North Pole Operations Center, and as you can imagine, we track the world's population very closely—precisely, in fact."

“If it emanates from space, it's a threat to North America, we identify that threat - or, it may not be a threat - both military and civilian. If it is a threat, then we do aerospace control as the Commander of NORAD, and we have fighters on alert each and every day to respond.”

“Once Rudolph's nose is visible, we have a series of satellites - not only the radars but satellites - that detect the infrared signature of Rudolph's nose.”

“We have multiple ways to track and follow NORAD Tracks Santa, even in the days leading up to NORAD Tracks Santa on Christmas Eve.”

“It takes a large amount of people to execute this - we have on order of 1,500 volunteers that answer about 150,000 calls. We have 2 million followers, and about 14 million people check into our social media platforms to do this.”

“Those are the ones that make it truly special - the ones that it's clear they're firm believers, they understand the power of Santa Claus, and they're expecting to get that message delivered. So, it's really an honor to have those conversations.”

“I get up every day, very humbled to have the job to defend our homelands, knowing that this is the most noble job that anybody could have when you serve.”

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NORAD Tracks Santa