Hardpoints

In this episode of Hardpoints, Mike and Neal dive into the intersection of energy security and the startup economy, discussing the implications of recent events and policies on the energy landscape. Mike shares his experiences from recent travels and events, highlighting the growing opportunities in the promotional products industry. The conversation shifts to the challenges posed by the increasin...

Hardpoints kicks off the new year with Mike and Neal swapping quick holiday stories—family downtime, e-bikes, skiing attempts—and then diving into a headline-dominating geopolitical event: Operation Absolute Resolve, a rapid U.S. special operations raid that allegedly captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife and brought them to the U.S. for prosecution. They unpack the whiplash of th...

Managing risk is a huge part of being in the military, running a startup, and working national security. You have to push to find solutions, but you need to make sure it all doesn't blow up. In **“Pushing the Edge,”** Mike and Neal connect all three worlds — cockpits, data centers, and battlefields — to ask a hard question: *how far can you lean forward before you cross the line from bold to reckl...

In this episode of Hardpoints, hosts Mike Smith and Neal Rickner delve into the intersection of energy security and the startup economy, exploring how these forces shape our world. They share personal anecdotes about Thanksgiving traditions, discuss the intricacies of cooking the perfect turkey, and reflect on the broader implications of societal and technological changes. The conversation also to...

In this episode of Hardpoints, hosts Mike Smith and Neal Rickner delve into the intricate world of rigged systems, from gambling scandals involving NBA players to the broader implications of a "casino economy." They explore how these dynamics affect everything from sports to energy security, and discuss the societal impacts of these rigged games. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that c...

Aging jokes aside, Neal & Mike riff on precision in speech—why lazy phrases (“hate mail,” “to be honest…”) muddy debate and how clear language shapes how we think (Carlin’s “shell shock” → “PTSD” thread). Renewables overtake coal (H1 2025): Big milestone globally, driven heavily by China/India. Celebration tempered by frustration that U.S. policy/industry missteps are ceding ground (TPI bankruptcy...

In this episode of Hardpoints, hosts Mike Smith and Neal Rickner are joined by Alexander McCoy, a veterans advocate and climate campaign leader, to explore the intricate connections between energy security, national policy, and climate change. The discussion delves into the historical and ongoing roles of oil companies, the importance of transitioning to renewable energy, and the impact of these d...

In this episode, Mike Smith and Neal Rickner discuss the intersection of energy security and the startup economy, touching on various themes such as public speaking, fundraising challenges, political violence, and the importance of free speech. They explore the implications of recent political events, the need for moral courage in leadership, and the urgency of improving energy infrastructure to m...

Neal lands a lead investor—unlocking insider commitments and government matching funds—buying his company ~18 months of runway and hard-won momentum. Mike talks small-team turbulence and a parenting weekend that went sideways (bee sting + campout sushi). From there, the guys dive into the energy-policy whiplash hitting wind projects and what it signals for U.S. energy security and AI-driven load g...

In this episode of Hardpoints, Mike and Neal weave personal stories—like sleepless nights, scout projects, and time outdoors—into heavier discussions on U.S. politics, national security, and the economy. They critique the deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. as a troubling sign of authoritarian overreach, debate the implications of a proposed government stake in Intel, and unpac...

This week on Hardpoints, Mike returns from an epic, no-internet, log-hopping backpacking trip in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, while Neal hustles through high-stakes fundraising and startup networking in Austin. The two dive into a whirlwind of hot-button issues—from Trump’s military moves in D.C., Epstein-fueled political distractions, and the looming Putin summit in Alaska, to Israel’s Gaza str...

In this fiery and deeply personal episode of Hard Points, Mike and Neal dive into the illusion of leadership in American politics, kicking off with a sobering analysis of the proposed "Golden Dome" missile defense system and why it’s more fantasy than feasible. They chart the rise of China in advanced manufacturing and warn of America’s self-inflicted industrial decline. The duo laments the Democr...

Conspiracy theories thrive where the official story falls flat—when the world feels rigged, unfair, or just off. This episode of Hardpoints meets that unease head-on. We unpack the real forces behind the chaos—from missing Epstein files to chemtrail hearings and tech fraud—and explore why the loudest voices offering answers are often selling something. Because the truth? It's messier, less cinemat...

This episode of Hardpoints explores the intersection of power—political, economic, and literal. Mike and Neal dissect how America's priorities are shifting: ICE receives a staggering budget increase while climate-fueled disasters gut the insurance industry, startups navigate rising costs and wealth concentration, and tech giants buy into speculative energy futures like fusion. Against this backdro...

In Episode 14, Mike Smith and Neal Rickner return from vacation into a week of devastating headlines: a deadly ambush on firefighters in Idaho, catastrophic flooding in Texas, and the passage of a sweeping GOP-backed bill that slashes social and scientific funding. They dig into the failures of mental health care, climate preparedness, and political courage—all while reflecting on leadership, lega...

Explore the evolving nature of modern warfare, where strategic missteps, the growing influence of tech giants, and the escalating threat of climate change collide. Through an unflinching look at Silicon Valley's entrance into global defense and the emergence of climate change as a national security concern, Neal & Mike reveal a complex and often perplexing future shaped by technology, strategy, an...

In this episode of *Hardpoints*, Mike and Neal tackle the AI talent wars, Meta’s failed grab at Safe Superintelligence, and the absurdity of their $30B valuations. They critically discuss Elon Musk’s erratic behavior, SpaceX flops, and Tesla’s stagnation, then dive into escalating U.S.–Iran tensions and the risks of Middle East entanglement. All while the planet roasts under historic heat waves —...

Asymmetric threats continue to expand, whether its the use of drones, cybertechnology, climate, espionage, or terrorism. The interaction is quickly leaving America behind, but its our dysfunctional government that is leaving us most at risk. --------- Guest: Michael McNerney is a technology entrepreneur and military veteran with a primary focus on cybersecurity. He currently works as the SVP for S...

Free speech online is a central debate that has been raging for over a decade, and everyone has a strong opinion. See what someone who has been at the center of it all has been doing about it, from Facebook to Elon. Guest: Michael O'Herlihy has been working at the intersection of safety, free speech, and tech for decade, including time at Google, Uber, Facebook, and Twitter / X. https://www.linked...

Living a life of meaning can happen anywhere, not just in the military or non-profits, but well into business. Rethink the way you do business and how to lead. Guest: Daniel Kim is the founder & CEO of the Dragon Kim Foundation and the Managing Partner of CapFin Partners & Abacus Partners. He has career of investing insight around work with meaning, including his work developing leaders of impact...

The time of machines has arrived. See how we got here with one of the fathers of autonomous vehicles and AI and how to think about how humans & machines will work together now. Follow us here: https://linktr.ee/valormedianetwork

Surfer, CEO, Filmmaker - See how one man decided that his favorite sport and his business acumen led him to rethink how he can live his life.  Guest Breene Murphy is the president of Carbon Collective Investing, a climate investment advisory firm with specialties in retirement plans (410ks), individual advising, and ETFs.  Breene also writes about climate and investing on LinkedIn and has been pub...

The world's economy relies upon that everything you see has either been mined or grown. Learn about the life of an extraordinary Alaskan and her passion for using microbes to address the exploding pressures upon the planet's need for raw materials.  Dr. Liz Dennett is the CEO & Founder of Endolith, where they use custom designed microbes to mine the metals our world needs.

When your job goes away or you experience, we all have to go through a transition. Learn about how elite athletes and veterans share that experience, how it's more than a transition, and what you can take from it.https://www.linkedin.com/school/pat-tillman-foundation/

Look at the world through the eyes of a former F-16 pilot and Department of Defense official about the intersection of energy and national security. Today's guest, Dave Belote, is a retired Air Force colonel and F-16 pilot who earned two Bronze Stars during Operation Iraqi Freedom and served as commander of Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas, Dave remains committed to public service. He has run...