Episodes

Securing the Supply Web: From the Global Network to the Tactical Edge | The Pair Program Ep83 In Episode 83, Tim Winkler and Sean Leahy talk with Peter Goldsborough, Co-Founder and CTO of Rune Technologies, and Evan Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of Altana, about how AI and modern data systems are reshaping defense logistics. They explore the disconnect between global supply networks and frontline sustainment, the realities of operating in disconnected environments, and why visibility and trust are n...

Runtime Confidence Meets Real-World Adoption: How AI Is Transforming Traditional Industries | The Pair Program Ep82 In this episode, Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen sit down with Kevin McGrath, Co-Founder and CEO of Meibel, and Rob Murray, Founder and CEO of SpecBooks, to unpack what it actually takes to move AI from impressive prototypes to dependable, production-ready systems. They dig into the challenges of unstructured data, the real meaning of runtime confidence, and why human-in-the-loop workfl...

Supply Chain at Escape Velocity: How InnoFlight and Verigon Are Scaling Secure Space System for the SDA Era | The Pair Program Ep81 In this episode, Tim Winkler and co-host Mike Gruen sit down with Jeffrey Janicik of Innoflight and Greg Davis of Verigon to explore what it really takes to scale secure space systems fast—and without sacrificing quality. They dive into the rise of small-sat architectures, the push for higher-volume production, and why cybersecurity must be designed into hardware fr...

Building Space Together: Inside the U.S. Space Force’s Push for Commercial Collaboration | The Pair Program Ep80 In this episode of The Pair Program, host Tim Winkler is joined by Holly Bertrand, Founder and Chief Operating Officer of ExoAnalytic Solutions; Dan Ceperley, Chief Operating Officer and Founder of LeoLabs; and Lt. Col. Tim Trimailo, Director of the Commercial Space Office at Space Systems Command. Together, they unpack how the U.S. Space Force is partnering with leading commercial in...

AI at the Tactical Edge: Scaling Secure, Warfighter-Centric Tech in Denied Environments | The Pair Program Ep79 In this episode, host Tim Winkler sits down with Tyler Saltsman (Founder & CEO, EdgeRunner AI), Colton Malkerson (Co-Founder & COO, EdgeRunner AI), and TJ Rowe (Chief Revenue Officer, Second Front Systems)for a deep dive into how secure, on-device AI is transforming decision-making at the tactical edge. Together, they explore the rise of air-gapped, domain-specific AI and what it takes...

Sea Change: How Autonomy and Acquisition Will Shape the Future Fleet | The Pair Program Ep78 In this episode, hosts Tim Winkler and guest co-host Sean Leahy dive into the intersection of autonomy, AI, and defense acquisition with Austin Gray, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer at Bluewater Autonomy, and Alex Campbell, former Chief of Staff at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). Together, they explore how startups, private capital, and the Pentagon’s acquisition system collide in the race to mode...

The Future of Autonomous Electronic Warfare in Multi-Domain Operations | The Pair Program Ep77 In this episode of The Pair Program, hosts Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen are joined by Nathan Mintz, Co-founder & CEO of CX2, and Dr. William “Dollar” Young, Jr., Former U.S. Air Force Colonel & Spectrum Warfare Expert, for a deep dive into the future of electronic warfare. Together, they unpack how autonomy, distributed systems, and AI are reshaping the electromagnetic battlespace. In this episode: How ...

Securing the Industrial Frontier with Frenos | The Pair Program Ep76 In this episode, hosts Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen chat with Harry Thomas, CTO of Frenos, and Colin Murphy, Chief Hacking Officer at Frenos, two cybersecurity experts redefining how we protect critical infrastructure. They unpack what it takes to defend operational technology (OT) environments that keep power grids, water systems, and manufacturing lines running safely. We dive into: The origin of Frenos and its AI-powered “di...

Generals in the Startup Trenches: Leading Defense Tech from Frontlines to Frontiers | The Pair Program Ep75 In this episode of The Pair Program, hosts Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen sit down with two retired Army generals turned tech executives, LTG Eric Wesley, CEO of Parasanti Inc, and LTG Ross Coffman, President of Forward Edge AI. They discuss how military leadership translates into startup success, what it takes to build culture from scratch, and how dual-use innovation can strengthen both nati...

Critical Tech, Critical Time | The Pair Program Ep74 In this episode, hosts Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen explore how startups and strategic investors are strengthening America’s innovation infrastructure. Nicholas Myers of Phoenix Tailings and Dr. Yan Zheng of In-Q-Tel discuss the urgency of building resilient supply chains and re-imagining manufacturing for a new era of national security. They dive into: How Phoenix Tailings turns toxic mining waste into rare-earth metals Why critical materials...

How We Hatched: Nick Skytland, Director of Gloo Developer In this How We Hatched episode, we sit down with Nick Skytland, Director of Gloo Developer, to explore how values-aligned AI can shape a future where technology drives human flourishing. Drawing from his career at NASA and his leadership at Gloo, Nick shares insights on building open, transparent AI systems and the importance of grounding innovation in shared human values. From defining human flourishing to reimagining the role of hackath...

Capital Region Catalysts: How Synergos is Powering Deep-Tech in the DMV and Backing a Nuclear Pioneer | The Pair Program Ep73 On this episode of The Pair Program, hosts Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen sit down with Michelle Urben, Managing & General Partner at Synergos, and Edward McGinnis, CEO of Curio, to explore how deep tech innovation is reshaping energy and resilience. From the DMV to global markets, they discuss what it takes to build solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges. In ...

Mission Critical: Building a Startup for America’s Next Fight | The Pair Program Ep72 In this episode of The Pair Program, host Tim Winkler is joined by co-host Sean Leahy for a conversation with Andy Yakulis, CEO & Co-founder of Vector, and Larsen Jensen, Founder & General Partner at Harpoon Ventures and Co-Founder of Vector. Together, they dive into what it means to build mission-driven startups at the intersection of defense, technology, and national security. They dive into: The founding s...

How We Hatched: Jennifer Sample, Chief Technology Officer at Empower AI In this episode of How We Hatched, we sit down with Jennifer Sample, Chief Technology Officer at Empower AI, to explore her journey from chemistry to cutting-edge AI leadership. Jennifer shares lessons from Johns Hopkins APL, Accenture Federal Services, and now her mission-driven role at Empower AI. Key topics covered: From nanotechnology and space missions to AI innovation Balancing visionary research with mission-driven ...

Orbit to Operations: Bridging Government and Industry in Defense Innovation | The Pair Program Ep71 On this week’s Pair Program, hosts Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen sit down with Topher Haddad, Co-founder/CEO of Albedo, and Arthur Grijalva, Director of SpaceWERX. They discuss how startups and the U.S. Space Force are working together to advance space innovation, touching on Albedo’s Clarity-1 satellite launch and the role of SpaceWERX’s STRATFI program in bridging commercial and defense priorities....

Dual-Use, Double Impact: Privateer’s Path in Geospatial Intelligence | The Pair Program Ep70 In this episode of The Pair Program, we sit down with Mollie Martin, Director of GTM Strategy at Privateer, and Declan Lynch, Chief Revenue Officer and General Manager at Privateer, to explore what it takes to scale a dual-use business at the intersection of government and commercial markets. They share insights from Privateer’s journey, from Earth observation and space domain awareness to building a geo...

Into the Drone Zone: Countering Aerial Threats to Critical Infrastructure | The Pair Program Ep69 Today’s episode features Yaniv Mendelson, Director of Business Development at Echodyne, and Tom Adams, Director of Public Safety at DroneShield. Together, they explore the fast-evolving counter-UAS landscape and the growing threats drones pose to critical infrastructure. We Dive Into: The shift from drones as novelty tech to national security threats Real-world incidents involving energy grids, a...

From Navy Ops to AI Solutions: Modernizing Federal Service | The Pair Program Ep68 This episode of The Pair Program dives into how cutting-edge tools like AI can make federal service a more exciting, impactful career path. Dr. Jim Liew, Founder & President of SoKat, and Michael Frank, Deputy Chief Technology Officer for the Department of the Navy, discuss strategies to attract top tech talent, drive innovation, and break down barriers to change. Here’s what we dive into: Using AI to boost publi...

Rebuilding the Arsenal: How Startups & Shipyards are Scaling the Future of Maritime Autonomy | The Pair Program Ep67 Today on The Pair Program, we’re joined by Paul Lwin, CEO and co-founder of HavocAI, and Daniel Brunk, CEO of PacMar Technologies. These two leaders are teaming up to rethink how autonomous vessels are designed, built, and deployed at scale. From startup speed to shipyard expertise, they share how their partnership is accelerating the future of maritime innovation. In this episod...

How We Hatched: Ryan Holmes, Founder & CEO of GreenT Climate Software In this bonus How We Hatched episode, we’re joined by Ryan Holmes, Founder & CEO of GreenT Climate Software, to explore how AI is reshaping sustainability in multifamily real estate. Ryan shares how GreenT is building smart, scalable solutions that help properties meet environmental goals, without sacrificing financial performance. Key topics covered: How agentic AI simplifies complex sustainability workflows Using AI to ex...

Beyond Burnout: Rehumanizing Cybersecurity with AI | The Pair Program Ep66 In this episode of The Pair Program, we dive deep into the real challenges facing cybersecurity teams today. Our guests: William Macmillan, Chief Product Officer at Andesite, and Lucas Moody, SVP & CISO at Alteryx, bring sharp insight and a human-first perspective to one of tech’s most pressing issues: burnout. They explore the urgent need to protect not just systems, but the people protecting them. Topics we cover: Why...

How We Hatched: Trong Bui, Founder & CEO of Vidoori In this How We Hatched segment, we sit down with Trong Bui, Founder & CEO of Vidoori, to unpack his journey from immigrant engineer to tech leader. He shares insights on building a mission-driven company that prioritizes delivery, ethics, and long-term impact. Key takeaways from our one-on-one: The unexpected path from Lockheed Martin to entrepreneurship Building a consulting firm focused on delivery over scale Ethical R&D and investing in i...

The Next Frontier: Collaborative Autonomy in Defense Tech | The Pair Program Ep65 Autonomous systems are no longer science fiction, they’re reshaping national security. But while technology moves fast, policy, infrastructure, and trust lag behind. In this episode, we dive into what it really takes to build resilient, distributed autonomy for contested environments. Joining us are Emma Bates, Founder & CEO of Cachai, and Dr. Kimberly Sablon, CTO at Riverside Research, who bring experience from st...

How We Hatched: Dr. Jay Rozzi, Vice President, Principal Engineer, and Partner at Creare In this bonus How We Hatched episode, we sit down with Dr. Jay Rozzi, Vice President, Principal Engineer, and Partner at Creare. With deep expertise in advanced manufacturing, cryogenics, and tech commercialization, Jay shares how his team develops breakthrough technologies that move from R&D to real-world deployment across defense, aerospace, and biomedical sectors. Here’s what we get into: The fastener t...