The Defense Tech Underground Podcast

Episode IX is out now: "Jeff Decker: The Hacking for Defense Manual" On this episode of the Defense Tech Underground (https://defensetechpod.org) , Dr. Jeff Decker discusses his experiences as a squad leader in the US Army's elite 75th Ranger Regiment, U.S. Army in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he conducted more then 200 direct action raids. He tells of how he bet everything and moved across the country in the hopes of landing a teaching job with Hacking for Defense? (H4D) at Stanford University. Finally, Jeff discusses the Hacking for Defense methodology - featured in his new book - for getting out of the building, knowing your users, and creating something your users will pull out of your hands. Please check out his new book, The Hacking for Defense Manual: Solving National Security Problems with the Lean Methodology https://lnkd.in/dnAfwdUc ?? Listen to episode 9 wherever you get your podcasts. ?? Subscribe to the Stanford DEFCON newsletter here: https://eepurl.com/iQacx6 ?? Produced in partnership with the Stanford Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation and with the generous sponsorship of Rhombus Power Inc. This episode is hosted by Jeff Phaneuf and Josh Pickering

Congressman Patrick Ryan and Rob Wittman talk about their bipartisan plan for reforming the on the U.S. Department of Defense. Worth a listen. #DOD #natsec #defensetech https://lnkd.in/gz-wRzFp

???How is Congress shaping the future of defense tech? In the latest episode of?The Defense Tech Underground?podcast, we sit down with?Reps. Rob Wittman and Pat Ryan, Co-Chairs of the bipartisan?Defense Modernization Caucus, to discuss how they’re driving real change in how the U.S. military adopts and deploys technology. ?? What’s inside Episode 8? ?? The Pentagon’s shift from?hardware to software—and why it matters. ?? The?biggest obstacles?to modernizing U.S. defense tech. ?? How?Congress can accelerate innovation?and break through bureaucratic roadblocks. ?? Key wins from the?2025 NDAA?and the launch of the?Defense Modernization Caucus. If you're at the intersection of?defense, policy, and technology, you won’t want to miss this conversation. ???Listen to Episode 8 wherever you get your podcasts. ?? Learn more about?The Defense Tech Underground?at www.defensetechpod.org. #DefenseTech #Innovation #NationalSecurity #Modernization #Government #Technology #Podcast

Episode VIII is out now: "Pat Ryan and Rob Wittman: U.S. House Defense Modernization Caucus" Representative Wittman and Representative Ryan discuss the launch of the bipartisan Defense Modernization Caucus and early wins from the caucus in the 2025 NDAA. They explain the challenges for the Pentagon to move from a hardware centric organization to a software centric one, and discuss opportunities for the caucus to drive impact in defense innovation. ?? Listen to episode 8 wherever you get your podcasts. ?? Learn more about our mission at www.defensetechpod.org. ?? Subscribe to the Stanford DEFCON newsletter here: https://eepurl.com/iQacx6 ?? Produced in partnership with the Stanford Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation and with the generous sponsorship of Rhombus Power Inc. Jeff Phaneuf Helen Phillips

Ever wondered when you’ll book your first commercial flight to Mars or what it costs to visit a space station??Curious how growing organs in #space can revolutionize #biotech??Or how #AI and #deep #tech are revolutionizing #climate, #healthcare, and #aviation? The first-ever?Stanford University Graduate School of Business Aviation,?Aerospace, and Defense Symposium?is here, and it’s your front-row seat to the future of our skies, our planet, and beyond. The lineup includes: Peter Ingram, CEO of Hawaiian Airlines Palmer Luckey, Founder & CTO of Anduril Industries Matthew J. Kuta, CEO of Voyager Technologies David Limp, CEO of Blue Origin The symposium will tackle big questions like: How can we grow organs in microgravity to transform biotech and medicine? What will it take to decarbonize one of the world’s biggest emitters? When will you take the next commercial space flight to a space station? Plus, hear insights and network with top investors from deep tech funds. Date: February 24 Time: 6:00 - 9:00 PM Location: Oberndorf Get tickets here: https://lnkd.in/dbfeDAFt

Episode VII is out now: "Wyman Howard: Build a Little, Test a Little, Learn a Lot – Innovation in the SEAL Teams" On this episode, RADM (ret.) Hugh Wyman H. – the former commander of the elite Navy Special Warfare Development Group and later the entire Naval Special Warfare Command - Navy SEAL & SWCC Teams – shares leadership lessons learned from his 32 years as a naval officer. He dives into the changing nature of warfare, crafting the US Navy SEAL brand with lessons from Louis Vuitton, and the importance of technical innovation in near-peer competition. ?? Listen to episode 7 wherever you get your podcasts. ?? Learn more about our mission at www.defensetechpod.org. ?? Subscribe to the Stanford DEFCON newsletter here: https://eepurl.com/iQacx6 ?? Produced in partnership with the Stanford Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation and with the generous sponsorship of Rhombus Power Inc. #podcast #defense #innovation #technology #deftech #nationalsecurity #startup #vc #investing #founder

Episode VI is out now: "John Goodson - From Deployment to Darkhive" On this episode of the?The Defense Tech Underground Podcast,?John shares about his role as a combat technician in the US Navy, operating military drones during combat, which led him to found Darkhive. John discusses the specific products that Darkhive is developing, and the underpinning REDQUEEN software that enables actionable information for operators. He shares his concern about China’s entrenchment in the drone market through DJI, as well as a call to action for more entrepreneurship within defense. ?? Listen to episode 6 wherever you get your podcasts. ?? Learn more about our mission at www.defensetechpod.org. ?? Subscribe to the Stanford DEFCON newsletter here: https://eepurl.com/iQacx6 ?? Produced in partnership with the Stanford Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation and with the generous sponsorship of Rhombus Power Inc. #podcast #defense #innovation #technology #deftech #nationalsecurity #startup #vc #investing #founder

Nothing like a couple devil dogs coming together to chat about the work we're doing at podcast HQ. #defense #technology #stanford

Episode V is out now: "Raj Shah - Unit X: The Rise of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)" In this episode of the, we discuss Raj’s journey from small town Georgia to becoming an United States Air Force pilot, his experience leading the Defense Innovation Unit, the founding and mission of Shield Capital, and his new book Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley are Transforming the Future of War, which explores the evolving nature of the United States Department of Defense’s acquisition of cutting-edge technology for the warfighter. ?? Listen to episode 5 wherever you get your podcasts. ?? Learn more about our mission at www.defensetechpod.org. ?? Subscribe to the Stanford DEFCON newsletter here: https://eepurl.com/iQacx6 ?? Produced in partnership with the Stanford Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation and with the generous sponsorship of Rhombus Power Inc. #podcast #defense #innovation #technology #deftech #nationalsecurity #startup #vc #investing #founder

Episode IV is out now: "Trae Stephens: In Pursuit of Good Quests" In this episode, Trae shares his unconventional journey from rural Ohio to Silicon Valley. Starting with his determination to attend Georgetown University, Trae’s career has been defined by a commitment to public service and innovation. While in college, his work at the Afghan embassy during its post-Taliban reopening provided early insights into the challenges of modernizing United States Department of Defense protocols, discovering the need for a company like Palantir Technologies. Trae's move to Palantir marked his entry into tech, where he navigated the complexities of selling software to the government. This experience laid the groundwork for his co-founding of Anduril Industries and his work as a partner at Founders Fund. Trae discusses the importance of mission-driven work, the challenges of navigating government procurement, and his experiences rapidly scaling the new era of defense companies. His story is a testament to the impact of combining technological innovation with a deep sense of purpose. ?? Listen to episode 4 wherever you get your podcasts. ?? Learn more about our mission at www.defensetechpod.org. ?? Subscribe to the Stanford DEFCON newsletter here: https://eepurl.com/iQacx6 ?? Produced in partnership with the Stanford Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation and with the generous sponsorship of Rhombus Power Inc. #podcast #defense #innovation #technology #deftech #nationalsecurity #startup #vc #investing #founder