Episodes

Data Solutions in Regulated Environments: Scaling Innovation in Defense and Aerospace | The Pair Program Ep64 On this week’s episode of The Pair Program, we’re diving deep into defense innovation, mission-first data strategy, and the future of aerospace tech with Jake Dyal and Scott Dieckhaus, two leaders with decades of experience navigating high-stakes environments. Jake, a former military intelligence officer turned startup founder, and Scott, a longtime aerospace leader now at AWS, share har...

Delivering Defense-Tech Ground Autonomy with DIU and Forterra | The Pair Program Ep63 What does the future of defense look like when the vehicles drive themselves? In this episode, we sit down with Paul Benfield (Head of Strategy at Forterra) and David Michelson (Director of Autonomy at DIU) to talk about the real-world deployment of autonomous ground systems and why it’s no longer science fiction. Tune in for: How DIU and Forterra are building driverless combat vehicles (today, not someday) ...

From Service to Startup: Empowering Veteran-Led Innovation in Defense Tech | The Pair Program Ep62 What happens when veterans take the lead in shaping the future of defense tech? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Casey Perley from the Army Applications Lab and Guy Filippelli of Squadra Ventures, two powerhouses driving change from within and beyond the DoD. They share stories from the frontlines of innovation, lessons learned in building startups, and advice for veterans stepping into tech. ...

CTO Wisdom with Freedom Dumlao | Beyond The Program Welcome to CTO Wisdom. In this series, we interview technical leaders who have stepped into executive positions.Today’s guest host, Eric Brooke, speaks with Freedom Dumlao, CTO at Vestmark, in this episode of CTO Wisdom. We sit down with Freedom to explore his unconventional journey into tech and the leadership lessons he’s learned along the way. From programming on a black-and-white TV as a kid to leading engineering teams at Zipcar and Wayfai...

Combating Deepfakes with AI Innovation: Reality Defender & BAH Ventures | The Pair Program Ep61 In this episode of The Pair Program, we’re joined by Ben Colman (CEO and Co-Founder of Reality Defender) and Wes Blackwell (Managing Director at Booz Allen Hamilton) for a fascinating discussion on AI and national security. They dive into the dangers of deepfakes, the role of AI detection tools, and how public and private sectors can stay ahead of this evolving threat. Whether you’re curious about how...

How We Hatched: Kevin Larrabee, Head of Product at DataShapesAI In this episode of How We Hatched, we’re joined by Kevin Larrabee, the Head of Product at DataShapesAI. In our conversation, Kevin takes us through the transformative role AI plays in Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) applications. He also shares how DataShapesAI is using AI-driven solutions to enhance spectrum awareness and improve signal monitoring. Here’s a glimpse of what we talked about: The fascinating intersection of military ...

The Dual-Use Debate: Crafting Smarter Startups from the Start | The Pair Program Ep60 Today on The Pair Program, we’re joined by Gene Kesselman, Director of Mission Innovation Experimentation at MIT, and Jake Chapman, Managing Director at Marque Ventures. Together, they dive into the evolving landscape of dual-use technology and the future of defense innovation. Gene and Jake explore opportunities, tough realities, and bold reforms shaping tech development for mission and market impact. Some of...

How We Hatched: Nicolas Chaillan, Founder & CEO of Ask Sage On today’s episode of How We Hatched, we sit down with Nicolas Chaillan, Founder & CEO of Ask Sage and former Chief Software Officer for the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. From launching startups at age 15 to transforming tech adoption in national defense, Nick shares lessons from his unconventional path and offers insights on building secure, scalable AI. Key topics we cover: Ask Sage’s origin and mission to democratize generative A...

The Future Frontlines of Defense: 3D Drones and Strategic Logistics | The Pair Program Ep59 Dive into the future of defense technology with Chad McCoy of Firestorm Labs and Jeff Wright, military strategist and special ops veteran. Explore how 3D printing drones and new logistic strategies are paving the way for innovative solutions in the INDOPACOM theater. We’ll discuss everything from the myths of Pacific warfare to practical tech integration at the edge—where logistics meet frontline operatio...

Scaling Horizontally: EpiSci’s Strategic Play in Dual-Use Tech | The Pair Program Ep58 In this episode of The Pair Program, we’re joined by David Rothzeid (Principal at Shield Capital) and Bo Ryu (CEO of EpiSci) to unpack the challenges and opportunities in building and scaling dual-use technology. From startup funding paths to shifting dynamics in the defense sector, our guests dive into the future of autonomy, venture capital’s growing role in national security, and what it really takes to bri...

How We Hatched: Feross Aboukhadijeh, Founder & CEO of Socket How do we secure open-source software in a world where supply chain attacks are on the rise? In this episode of How We Hatched, we sit down with Feross Aboukhadijeh, founder & CEO of Socket, to discuss the growing security threats in open-source development and how Socket is helping companies stay protected. Feross shares his journey from open-source enthusiast to startup founder, lessons learned from early ventures, and insights into ...

Cracking the Code: How Startups Can Win with MSP Partnerships | The Pair Program Ep57 How do startups break into the market without a massive sales force? And what do Managed Service Providers (MSPs) really look for in vendor solutions, beyond the sales pitch? In this episode, Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen sit down with Brian Luckey (CIO at Integris) and Ian Y. Garrett (CEO & co-founder of Phalanx) to explore the high-stakes world of vendor-MSP relationships. They dive into how cybersecurity startu...

Graduating from Set-Asides in Government Contracting: The Path to Sustainable Success | The Pair Program Ep56 In this episode, hosts Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen welcome two industry leaders: Greg Schaub, CFO of Anika Systems, and Rolf Holman, Chief Strategy Officer of Falconwood. Together, they explore the challenges and opportunities of transitioning from small business set-asides to competing in the full and open market. Key Topics Discussed: Effective strategies for safeguarding revenue duri...

Securing the Future: Traditional IT vs. Blockchain in Banking | The Pair Program Ep55 In this episode of The Pair Program, hosts Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen explore the future of cybersecurity in financial services with two distinguished experts: Jacques Boschung, CEO of Halborn and Sandip Wadje, Managing Director and Head of Emerging Technology Risks at BNP Paribas. Together, they unpack how blockchain, AI, and emerging technologies are reshaping cybersecurity and risk management in the financi...

CTO Wisdom with Charity Majors | Beyond the Program Welcome to CTO Wisdom. In this series, we interview technical leaders who have stepped into executive positions. Today’s guest host, Eric Brooke, speaks with Charity Majors, Co-founder and CTO of honeycomb.io In today’s episode, they discuss: How Charity’s career started with a music scholarship and led to being a Founder, CEO and CTO. How a love of Command line and firefighting fueled a passion for infrastructure engineering. Navigating A...

The AI Impact: Transforming Tech Roles and the Future of Work | The Pair Program Ep54 In this episode, we dive deep into the transformative power of AI in the workforce with two thought leaders shaping the future of tech talent: Dr. Diana Gehlhaus, Director for Economy at the Special Competitive Studies Project, and Angela Cough, Special Advisor to the Department of Defense’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer. Together, they explore: The evolution of tech roles as AI continues...

Building and Scaling Customer Success Teams: A Startup’s Playbook | The Pair Program Ep53 In this episode, we sit down with Romaine Buck, VP of Customer Success at Articulate, and Toni Ann Careccio, Chief Customer Officer at PortPro, to explore the evolving role of Customer Success (CS) in startups and beyond. Both Romaine and Toni bring a wealth of experience in building and scaling CS teams that drive real value for customers and businesses alike. They discuss: The impact of Customer Success...

In this episode of How We Hatched, host Tim Winkler sits down with Matt Theurer, Co-Founder & CEO of HyperSpectral.ai, to explore Matt’s entrepreneurial journey and his groundbreaking work in AI-driven spectral technology. Matt’s career has been marked by a series of bold ventures, from his early days at NIH to leading successful tech companies, including the sale of Virtustream to EMC for $1.2 billion. Today, Matt shares how HyperSpectral.ai is revolutionizing areas such as food safety, human h...

Unlocking Value in the Federal Market: A Conversation with Deep Water Point & Associates | The Pair Program Ep52 In this episode, we dive into the complex world of federal market consulting with Greg Buckis and Meghan DiAndrea, leaders at Deep Water Point & Associates. Deep Water is known for blending government and industry expertise, offering clients tailored guidance to navigate the intricacies of the federal space. Greg and Meghan share insights into their unique business model and the valu...

CTO Wisdom with Liming Zhao | Beyond The Program Welcome to CTO Wisdom, where we explore the journeys of technical leaders who have transitioned into executive roles. Today, guest host Eric Brooke sits down with Liming Zhao, a technology innovator transforming traditional industries. In this episode, they cover: Liming’s journey from researcher to CTO, and the challenges along the way. The importance of staying current with emerging technologies. The need to delegate effectively to avoid bo...

Mission Transition: SkillBridge's Role in Civilian Careers | The Pair Program Ep51 In this episode, we sit down with two incredible guests - Cameron Watts and John Sokol - who bring a wealth of experience from both military service and the civilian workforce. Together, they dive into the SkillBridge program, which connects transitioning service members with internship opportunities in the civilian world, offering a direct pathway to employment.Tune in to learn about the unique challenges veteran...

How We Hatched: Michael Hauser, VP and Managing Partner of SAIC Ventures Welcome to our most recent episode of How We Hatched! In this episode, you’ll hear from Michael Hauser, Vice President and Managing Partner of SAIC Ventures. SAIC leverages IT and digital engineering to solve the government’s most pressing challenges while strategically investing in national security and commercial dual-use startups.Tune in to discover: How SAIC accelerates go-to-market for startups and aligns them with f...

Navigating Defense Innovation: Collaborative Piloting with the U.S. Navy & Startups | The Pair Program Ep50 In this compelling episode, we delve into the evolving landscape of defense technology and innovation with three experts leading the charge. Join us as we speak with Justin Fanelli, Acting CTO for the Department of Navy and Technical Director of PEO Digital; Katie Wildman, Senior Business and Technology Strategist at PEO Digital and Enterprise Services; and Colin Gounden, CEO of VIA. To...

Navigating the Clouds: Decoding FedRAMP with LaunchDarkly and Schellman | The Pair Program Ep49 In this episode of The Pair Program, we dive deep into the complexities of FedRAMP with two industry veterans who have navigated the process firsthand. Sara Mazer, Federal CTO at LaunchDarkly, and Nick Rundhaug, Managing Director at Schellman, join us to shed light on the FedRAMP authorization journey and offer valuable insights for companies seeking to achieve this prestigious certification. FedRAM...