Ripple E-ffects

Sadhguru joins Navin at CSIS headquarters in Washington to discuss the Save Soil movement, conscious leadership, and why the future of food security and economic stability may depend on the health of the world's soil. They explore the consequences of soil degradation, how the Save Soil movement reached billions of people, and what it takes to reverse one of the least understood challenges of our t...

In this episode, Navin is joined by Ryan Goodman, CEO of Scale Microgrids, to discuss how rising electricity demand, data centers, and a strained U.S. grid are reshaping America’s energy future.

In this episode, Navin sits down with Blake Mandell, co-founder and CEO of Transcend Therapeutics, who talks about the personal loss that led him to create innovative, rapid-acting treatments for PTSD — and why the current standard of care leaves our veterans at risk.

Navin is joined by Dan O’Keefe, Connecticut’s Chief Innovation Officer and Commissioner of Economic Development. Drawing on 25 years of experience investing in technology companies, Dan explains how lessons from the private sector shape his approach to public service. He describes how Connecticut is using public-private partnerships to drive economic growth, strengthen its workforce, and position...

Navin is joined by Cobi Blumenfeld-Gantz, co-founder and CEO of Chapter, the fastest-growing Medicare advisory in the United States. Cobi shares how Chapter helps millions of Americans navigate the complex world of Medicare, the innovative ways they use AI to simplify healthcare decisions, and his vision for rethinking retirement so people can live healthier, wealthier, and more purposeful lives.

Dr. Aron D’Souza joins the podcast to discuss his career across law, finance, and technology, as well as his role as the founder of the Enhanced Games. He shares the story behind the initiative and offers his perspective on innovation in sport, the future of human performance, and the broader implications for public policy and technology.

In this episode, Navin talks with Stuart Wall, CEO and Co-founder of Setpoint, a fintech company reshaping the asset-backed lending industry. Stu reflects on his entrepreneurial upbringing, competitive chess background, and the lessons learned from past failures. He also explains how Setpoint is using AI to automate complex loan agreements—making credit markets faster, more transparent, and more e...

In this episode, Navin is joined by Balan Ayyar, retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General and the Founder and CEO of percipient.ai. They discuss Balan’s deep military experience, how the commercial sector ensures U.S. defense capabilities, and if A.I. can benefit society. Prior to leading percipient.ai, Balan served in the U.S. Air Force, including serving as Commanding General of the Combined Joi...

Navin is joined by Jordan Blashek, a U.S. Marine veteran, investor, and co-founder of America’s Frontier Fund. They discuss how the U.S. military uses AI on the battlefield, accelerating the R&D cycle to bring critical technologies to market, and the importance of public-private partnerships to bolster U.S. competitiveness. Blashek is the co-founder and managing partner of AFF, a mission-driven fu...

Introducing, Ripple E-ffects, the latest podcast from CSIS. Ripple E-ffects examines how technology redraws the contours of power, economics and national security. Host Navin Thukkaram engages technology pioneers, national security experts, and business leaders in precise conversations that seek to separate signal from noise. New episodes release monthly.

Navin is joined by Dr. Megan Reiss, former national security policy advisor at the office of Senator Mitt Romney, and currently the founder and CEO of SolidIntel Inc. They discuss China's growing power over U.S. technology, the RESTRICT Act, and how A.I. can assist in de-risking from China.

Navin is joined by Dr. Chris Howard, the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Arizona State University Public Enterprise. They discuss what digital transformation means for access to education and the next generation of students.

In this episode, Navin is joined by Kevin Ryan, Founder and CEO at AlleyCorp, a VC fund responsible for founding some of the most revolutionary companies in New York. Before investing in and founding companies such as GILT, MongoDB, Transcend Therapeutics, and Business Insider; Ryan got his start by helping to grow DoubleClick, an internet advertisement company, as President and then CEO, until it...

In this episode, Andrew and Navin are joined by Marc Lasry, the chairman, CEO, and co-founder of Avenue Capital Group and co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks. They discussed the war in Ukraine and its impact on the U.S. and global economy, business, basketball, and American politics.  Before co-founding Avenue Capital, Marc managed capital for Amroc Investments, L.P. Marc also clerked for the Honorabl...

Navin is joined by Christopher Burns, Chief Digital Development Officer for USAID and the Director for the Technology Division within the Innovation, Technology, and Research Hub. They discuss USAID’s Digital Strategy and how digital technology can be harnessed for international development.  Prior to USAID, Christopher spent nearly ten years with the Peace Corps, as Program and Training Officer f...

In this episode, Navin is joined by Matt Pottinger, former deputy national security advisor. They discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, implications for China and Taiwan, and the West’s positioning in a new cold war. Prior to working at the White House, Pottinger was a journalist and wrote for both Reuters and the Wall Street Journal. He is fluent in Mandarin and reported in China for seven years...

In this episode, Navin is joined by Rye Barcott, a veteran, social entrepreneur, investor, and author. They discuss the importance of Veterans in politics, the value of public service, and Rye’s extensive track record within the non-profit space, including his foundation, With Honor.  During his 5-year tenure as a Marine, where he attained the rank of captain, Rye co-founded his first NGO, Carolin...

In today’s episode, Navin is joined by Dr. Julia Nesheiwat, our nation’s 10th homeland security advisor. A former U.S. Army combat veteran, she is an expert on the intersection of climate change and national security. She served as Florida’s first chief resilience officer, a commissioner on the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, the U.S. presidential envoy for hostage affairs, and deputy assistant s...

In this episode, Navin is joined by Raj De Datta, founder, and CEO of Bloomreach, a leading software platform for digital commerce experience. They discuss the importance of meaningful e-commerce moments, how businesses can be “seeker-centric,” and the future of small businesses. Raj De Datta is a multiple-time entrepreneur and best-selling author of “The Digital Seeker.” Before launching Bloomrea...

In this episode, Andrew and Navin are joined by Wes Kremer, president of Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a business of Raytheon Technologies. They discuss the impact of digital transformation on the defense industry, COVID-19, and the importance of improved education for the future of STEM.  Wes Kremer is an electrical engineer and a US Air Force Veteran with extensive experience in defense and aeros...

In this episode, Andrew and Navin are joined by Dean Kamen, a technology luminary, legendary inventor (e.g., the Segway), and prolific entrepreneur. They discuss Dean's experience as an inventor, his friendship with Steve Jobs, and the importance of reforming early childhood education.  Dean holds more than 1,000 U.S. and foreign patents, for innumerable innovative technologies, to ground-breaking...

In this episode, Andrew and Navin speak with X Shore CEO Jenny Keisu. They discuss environmentalism and pollution in the boating industry, the intersection of capitalism and environmental sustainability, and the impact of Covid-19 on emissions and business trends. Jenny Keisu is the CEO of X Shore, a Swedish company that manufactures electric leisure boats. She previously founded Summa Equity, a p...

In this episode, Andrew and Navin are joined by Chris Young, Microsoft’s Executive Vice President for Business Development. They discuss the SolarWinds attack, U.S. vulnerability to cyberattacks, the role of corporate leadership in cybersecurity, and more. Before his current role at Microsoft, where he is responsible for the company’s global business development strategy, Mr. Young was the CEO of...

In this episode, Andrew and Navin sit down with Bridgewater CEO, David McCormick. They discuss the crisis at the Capitol, addressing the opportunity gap, and our vulnerability to cyberattacks. David McCormick is the CEO of Bridgewater Associates, one of the world’s largest hedge funds, founded by Ray Dalio, that today manages $150 billion. He is a graduate of West Point, previously served as Under...

In this episode, Andrew and Navin speak with Silicon Valley icon, Peter Thiel. They dive deep into the impact of Covid-19, the US rivalry with China, and the effects of artificial intelligence on the global economy. Peter Thiel is the co-founder of PayPal, made the first outside investment in Facebook, is the co-founder and Chairman of Palantir Technologies, and is the #1 New York Times bestsellin...