Building The Base

The ultimate podcast at the nexus of entrepreneurship, innovation, technology, and our National Security

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New Miniseries:  Maintaining the Edge in the DoD

We are proud to be hosting a new miniseries with the leaders in the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD-R&E) team.  In this multi-part miniseries, you'll hear from leaders in the DoD research and engineering community discuss the innovative ways they are leveraging new tools to ensure DoD can maintain the edge in development and deploying war winning technologies.

Our first episode in this series features Bess Dopkeen, Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for R&E.  Listen in as she frames the vision for this series at the top of this episode, and  follows with some keen insights in the important work going on within the Department to more quickly adopt new technologies from wherever it comes from.

Leveraging America's Capital Advantage to Enhance National Security 

In this episode of Building The Base our Host Lauren Bedula and Hondo Geurts dive into a compelling conversation with Dr Jason Rathje, Director of the DoD Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) as part of our mini-series with DoD's Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering team.   In this episode Jason discusses the recent stand up of the first direct credit program in the DoD, and the availability of nearly $1B in available credit to support  competitiveness of our US industrial base. On the show he notesm "And we're starting to see the market shift in ways already, just by the announcement today, of folks responding with eagerness to be able to receive a loan to expand the production equipment that's required to grow industrial capacity in areas that they weren't able to grow prior to OSC’s existence.”





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Latest Episodes

Bipartisan Breakthroughs: Rep. Pat Ryan, House Defense Modernization Caucus
February 04, 2025
67
00:22:0930.47 MB

Bipartisan Breakthroughs: Rep. Pat Ryan, House Defense Modernization Caucus

In this episode of Building the Base, Lauren Bedula and Hondo Geurts sit down with Congressman Pat Ryan (NY-18). Rep. Ryan represents a diverse district of 800,000 in upstate New York, which includes his alma mater, West Point. An Iraq war veteran, Rep. Ryan transitioned from active duty, to defens...

Next-Gen Defense: AI on the Frontlines with Thomas Robinson, COO Domino Data Lab
January 30, 2025
66
00:27:0037.1 MB

Next-Gen Defense: AI on the Frontlines with Thomas Robinson, COO Domino Data Lab

This episode of Building the Base features an interview with Thomas Robinson, Chief Operating Officer of Domino Data Lab, who has an interesting background in finance and a strong passion for contributing to national security. Hosted by Lauren Bedula and Hondo Geurts, the conversation dives into Th...

Defending Against the Drone Threat: Counter-UAS Applications with Andy Lowery, CEO Epirus
January 28, 2025
65
00:24:0833.18 MB

Defending Against the Drone Threat: Counter-UAS Applications with Andy Lowery, CEO Epirus

In this episode of Building the Base, Andy Lowery, CEO of Epirus, discusses his journey from his days as a Navy reactor operator to leading a counter-UAS high-power microwave (HPM) system company. Epirus' HPM technology, which uses electromagnetic pulses to disable drones, has been tested successfu...

The Top Episodes

Featured Episodes

Bipartisan Breakthroughs: Rep. Pat Ryan, House Defense Modernization Caucus

Bipartisan Breakthroughs: Rep. Pat Ryan, House Defense Modernization Caucus

Bipartisan Breakthroughs: Rep. Pat Ryan, House Defense Modernization Caucus
Bipartisan Breakthroughs: Rep. Pat Ryan, House Defense Modernization Caucus
00:22:09
Next-Gen Defense: AI on the Frontlines with Thomas Robinson, COO Domino Data Lab
Next-Gen Defense: AI on the Frontlines with Thomas Robinson, COO Domino Data Lab
00:27:00
Defending Against the Drone Threat: Counter-UAS Applications with Andy Lowery, CEO Epirus
Defending Against the Drone Threat: Counter-UAS Applications with Andy Lowery, CEO Epirus
00:24:08
Looking Ahead: National Security in a New Administration with Nadia Schadlow and Stephen Rodriguez
Looking Ahead: National Security in a New Administration with Nadia Schadlow and Stephen Rodriguez
00:30:51
Incentivizing Defense Innovation: Rep. Adam Smith, Ranking Member, House Armed Services Committee
Incentivizing Defense Innovation: Rep. Adam Smith, Ranking Member, House Armed Services Committee
00:22:51
Answering the Call: Hon. Heidi Shyu, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering
Answering the Call: Hon. Heidi Shyu, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering
00:22:24
"Co-opetition" in Defense with Teresa Carlson, President, General Catalyst Institute
"Co-opetition" in Defense with Teresa Carlson, President, General Catalyst Institute
00:41:58
Gina Sims, Director of DoD SBIR/STTR Program
Gina Sims, Director of DoD SBIR/STTR Program
00:33:49
Thomas "Shotgun" Browning, performing the duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Mission Capabilities (ASD(MC)) OUSD(R&E)
Thomas "Shotgun" Browning, performing the duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Mission Capabilities (ASD(MC)) OUSD(R&E)
00:38:43
Tracy Frost and Dr. Kate Sixt, DoD Research and Engineering OUSD
Tracy Frost and Dr. Kate Sixt, DoD Research and Engineering OUSD
00:31:35

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Apple Podcasts
One of a kind!

An amazing dialogue with some of the most interesting guests in technology and national security. A must listen for entrepreneurs, innovators, government leaders, and anyone who wants to learn more about how technology will impact our future security and prosperity

Apple Podcasts
Best Podcast re: NatSec / Defense tech innovation

Lauren & Hondo co-host the best Podcast that I’ve been exposed to re: National Security & Defense technology innovation (and Gov / Defense acquisition reform). Well done Lauren, Hondo, all the Podcast guests, and Business Executives for National Security (BENS) for producing this valuable series.

Apple Podcasts
More discussion of this topic needed

The hosts do a excellent job of bringing important topics in national security and technology to the forefront, in both an interesting and informative way. Keep it coming.

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