GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley

Want to know how to break into the U.S. Space Force and scale your technology with over half a billion dollars in annual funding? In this episode, host Mike Shanley sits down with Arthur Grijalva, Director of SpaceWERX, to demystify how the Space Force's innovation arm acts as a venture capital fund to buy down technical risk and field dual-use commercial tech faster. This episode is a must-listen...

In this episode, retired four-star General Mike Minihan shares his experiences in military leadership, the importance of industry collaboration, and the strategic role of AI, data, and UAVs in modern warfare. Discover key lessons on decision-making, innovation, and national security from a top military leader.  key  topics Military leadership and decision-making at the four-star level The importan...

This interview with Ian Boyd, director at the University of Colorado Boulder, explores the strategic and technological landscape of hypersonics, missile defense, and space domain awareness. It highlights current threats, industry opportunities, and the role of academia in national security innovation. Hypersonic missile capabilities and threats from China, Russia, Iran Defense industry opportuniti...

Disclaimer: Views are guest's own and not the official position of the U.S. Air Force, Department of Defense, or any part of the U.S. Government. Visit www.govdiscoveryai.com to learn more about our Defense Business Intelligence Solutions Rethinking Warfare & The Role of Civil Society in Modern Conflicts Guest: Lieutenant Colonel Jahara Matisek Episode Summary In this episode, we explore the rapid...

How to Build Big Infrastructure in Space: Insights from Lee Rosen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thinkorbital Website: https://thinkorbital.com/ Email: marketing@thinkorbital.com Building infrastructure in space presents unique challenges, but it's essential for the future of the new space economy. In this post, we'll explore insights from Lee Rosen, co-founder and CEO of Think Orbital...

In this episode, Victor Vigliotti, Director of the Space Force Front Door, discusses how the US Space Force is transforming its knowledge management and vendor engagement processes. He shares insights into the innovative use of commercial systems like Salesforce to streamline vendor relationships, improve transparency, and enhance strategic matchmaking across government and industry.   Chapters 00...

In this episode, Colonel John Oliver discusses the U.S. Army Strategic Capital Initiatives, exploring innovative partnerships with private capital and tech companies to modernize the industrial base and enhance military readiness. He discusses the recent U.S. Army Enterprise Strategic Capital Partnership RFI linked here: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/f825eabd94884cc3b534bfde1927ccd9/view...

# How to Achieve Agnostic Technology in Defense: Insights from Major Paul Hanneman Learn how to implement agnostic technology in defense. Major Paul Hanneman shares insights on user empathy and collaboration for effective solutions. In the rapidly evolving landscape of defense technology, a significant question looms: how can we ensure that the systems we use are truly agnostic? In this episode, w...

Summary: In this episode of the GovDiscovery AI podcast, General Matthew Glavy discusses the critical need for a dedicated Cyber Force in the U.S. military, emphasizing the challenges posed by adversaries like China. He outlines the importance of logistics, structure, and the lessons learned from allies and U.S. Cyber Command. The conversation also delves into the role of AI in cybersecurity, the...

In this episode of the GovDiscovery AI Podcast, Mike Shanley interviews Michael Robbins, President and CEO of AUVSI, discussing the current state and future of the US defense uncrewed market. They explore the challenges of technology integration, manufacturing capabilities, critical minerals, battery technology, cybersecurity, and the global dynamics of the drone market. Robbins emphasizes the imp...

Summary In this episode of the GovDiscovery AI podcast, host Mike Shanley interviews Michael Catanasi, the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial-Based Policy. Catanasi discusses his recent experiences at the Honolulu Defense Forum, where he engaged with various military and international partners to address the challenges and opportunities in maintaining and growing the U.S. Defense Industrial...

Summary: In this episode of the GovDiscovery AI Podcast, Dr. Matt Willis, director of the Army FUZE Program, discusses the historical challenges the Army has faced in innovation and how the Army FUZE Program aims to address these issues. The conversation covers the importance of risk tolerance, the integration of soldier feedback in the development process, and the role of venture capital in suppo...

In this episode, host Mike Shanley sits down with Howie Lind, President and Executive Director of ISOA, the International Stability Operations Association. Howie brings decades of experience across the Department of Defense, State Department, and the Pentagon, including serving as Deputy Director for the Iraq Project and Contracting Office. Together, they unpack: What ISOA members are experiencing...

In this episode, host Mike Shanley sits down with Major General Thad Bibb (Ret.), former Commander of the 18th Air Force and now VP of Defense Business Development at Radia. They discuss Radia's WindRunner™, the world's largest aircraft by volume, how it emerged from commercial wind-energy needs, and why its logistics capacity could redefine modern warfare, allied readiness, and dual-use innovatio...

In this episode, Mike Shanley sits down with Admiral Mark Montgomery (Ret.), now a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, to break down one of the most pressing strategic challenges of our time: how the United States, Taiwan, and allies should prepare for a potential conflict in the Pacific. This is a must-listen episode for anyone working in defense tech, national security, c...

In this episode of the GovDiscovery AI Podcast, host Mike Shanley speaks with Irina Paliashvili, President and CEO of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), about the evolving landscape of Ukraine's defense and reconstruction markets. This discussion offers a firsthand look at how Ukraine's defense market is evolving amid the ongoing war, and how U.S. firms can strategically and responsibly pa...

In this episode of the GovDiscovery AI Podcast, host Mike Shanley speaks with Dr. Marina Theodotou, Executive Director of the newly launched Center for Frontier AI Security (CFAS). Drawing on her eight years at the Department of Defense, including leadership roles at the Defense Innovation Board and Defense Acquisition University, Dr. Theodotou discusses how the U.S. can maintain an AI advantage a...

In this episode of the GovDiscovery AI Podcast, host Mike Shanley, CEO of GovDiscovery AI, speaks with Mike Derrios, former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Senior Procurement Executive at the U.S. Department of State. Derrios shares insights from his tenure at State​. The conversation explores the  America First Global Health Strategy , State's ongoing reorganization, and broader fe...

Ep. 66 Representative Walkinshaw Q&A   This special episode was recorded at the Professional Services Council's 2025 Defense Conference where the Professional Services Council hosted a press briefing featuring Representative James Walkinshaw, U.S. Representative for Virginia's 11th Congressional District. ABOUT Representative Walkinshaw represents Virginia's 11th Congressional district, which incl...

In this episode, host Mike Shanley sits down with Steve Harris, Vice President for Defense and Intelligence at the Professional Services Council (PSC). Drawing on his decades of experience in government, including at the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Steve shares insights on how PSC bridges industry and government to strengthen the defense industrial base. They discuss: How associations lik...

In this episode, Mike Shanley sits down with Keri Lowry, former Chief of Staff at the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and board member at the Society for International Development–US. Keri shares insider insights on MCC's expanding role under the current administration, including new country programs, procurement trends, and where U.S. industry should focus for FY26 opportunities. For updat...

In this episode of the GovDiscovery AI Podcast, Mike Shanley sits down with Dr. Robert Bishop, Vice Chancellor and Dean of Engineering at Texas A&M University , to discuss how universities can accelerate innovation for the Department of War. They explore Texas A&M's unique approach to bridging academia, industry, and government through initiatives like the Inspire Alliance 501(c)(3). From hyperson...

In this inaugural episode from the Highland Institute for the Advancement of Humanity , co-hosted with GovDiscovery AI, hosts Kubs Lalchandani and Mike Shanley are joined by Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17) for a powerful conversation on the future of America's economy, technology, and global leadership. Drawing on his experience representing Silicon Valley and serving on the House Armed Services Com...

In this repost of a 2024 episode, General Casey shares his extensive experience in military leadership and the importance of integrating defense, diplomacy, and development in foreign aid efforts. He discusses the critical role of foreign aid in conflict prevention and the necessity of collaboration between military and aid organizations. General Casey also provides insights into current global co...

Retired Brigadier General Christopher S. "Mookie" Walker joins Mike Shanley to discuss U.S. and allied readiness in the Arctic and Antarctic, the evolving role of the National Guard, and the future of America's service academies. The conversation covers NATO's approach to polar security, how industry can better engage with Guard modernization and appropriations, and the innovative resilience train...