Episodes

Founders in Focus Part 2: Tyler Sweatt, Josh Lospinoso + Troy Demmer (Recorded @ Manifest: Demo Day)
April 16, 2025
71
00:38:3953.11 MB

Founders in Focus Part 2: Tyler Sweatt, Josh Lospinoso + Troy Demmer (Recorded @ Manifest: Demo Day)

Today's episode of Building the Base is part two of our "Founders in Focus" series, recorded at Manifest: Demo Day where 34 companies from across the defense industrial base demoed their disruptive tech. Hosts Hondo and Lauren caught up with some of the most dynamic founders: Tyler Sweatt from Seco...

Founders in Focus Part 1: Jeff Cole, Doug Bernauer + Topher Haddad (Recorded @ Manifest: Demo Day)
April 01, 2025
70
00:27:2437.85 MB

Founders in Focus Part 1: Jeff Cole, Doug Bernauer + Topher Haddad (Recorded @ Manifest: Demo Day)

Today's episode of Building the Base is part one of our "Founders in Focus" series, recorded at Manifest: Demo Day where 34 companies from across the defense industrial base demoed their disruptive tech. Hosts Hondo and Lauren caught up with some of the most dynamic founders: Jeff Cole from Hidden ...

Rapid Acquisition: Scaling Culture and Capabilities with Melissa Johnson, USSOCOM
March 04, 2025
69
00:37:1951.27 MB

Rapid Acquisition: Scaling Culture and Capabilities with Melissa Johnson, USSOCOM

In this episode of Building the Base, Melissa "Mojo" Johnson, Acquisition Executive at US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), offers a candid look into the world of military acquisition, drawing from her extensive experience with the Air Force's Rapid Capabilities Office and SOCOM.  Five key take...

Driving Comprehensive Defense Acquisition Reform with Eric Lofgren
February 18, 2025
68
00:43:3259.81 MB

Driving Comprehensive Defense Acquisition Reform with Eric Lofgren

In this episode of Building the Base, Lauren and Hondo sit down with Eric Lofgren, a professional staff member on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Eric provides an insider's perspective on the need for comprehensive acquisition reform. He discusses his unexpected path to this role, initially jo...

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...

Looking Ahead: National Security in a New Administration with Nadia Schadlow and Stephen Rodriguez
January 21, 2025
64
00:30:5142.41 MB

Looking Ahead: National Security in a New Administration with Nadia Schadlow and Stephen Rodriguez

This episode of Building the Base features a discussion with Nadia Schadlow, a Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute, and Stephen Rodriguez, an investor in the defense tech space who is leading The Atlantic Council's work on Software-Defined Warfare. Nadia and Stephen have extensive backgrounds in ...

Incentivizing Defense Innovation: Rep. Adam Smith, Ranking Member, House Armed Services Committee
January 14, 2025
63
00:22:5131.43 MB

Incentivizing Defense Innovation: Rep. Adam Smith, Ranking Member, House Armed Services Committee

In this episode of Building the Base , Lauren Bedula and Hondo Geurts sit down with Rep. Adam Smith, Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, to discuss the critical role of innovation and competition in modernizing the defense industrial base. Ranking Member Smith reflects on his poli...