The Skapa Podcast: Creating the Future

For the Season Two finale of Creating the Future , Michael Brasseur joins Mary Mattingly to reflect on the conversations, people, and ideas that shaped the past two seasons. From visionary founders and defence innovators to lessons in leadership, trust, and creativity, this episode explores how the future is imagined, built, tested, and scaled. A look back at the journey, and a look ahead at what&...

In this episode of  The Skapa Podcast: Creating the Future , host Michael Brasseur is joined by August Cole—co-author of  Ghost Fleet  and co-founder of Useful Fiction—for a thought-provoking conversation on the power of narrative in shaping the future. August explores how storytelling is not just a creative exercise, but a strategic tool used to understand risk, anticipate conflict, and drive rea...

Saab UK’s Schuyler “Sky” Moore joins Michael Brasseur for a candid conversation about innovation, autonomy, and what it really takes to deliver capability to the edge. Recorded prior to the current conflict in the Middle East, this episode explores the lessons Sky carried from Task Force 59 and U.S. Central Command into her role as VP of Innovation at Saab UK and Managing Director of BlueBear. Fro...

Saab's Michael Brasseur is joined by Brennan Grignon, a longtime defence and industrial-policy leader, for a wide-ranging conversation about resilience, scale, and the unglamorous realities that shape national security outcomes. Recorded as Brennan comes out of stealth as CEO & Co-Founder of Vantive, the discussion traces her journey from the Pentagon and COVID-era supply chain response ef...

In this episode of the Skapa Podcast: Creating the Future, Michael Brasseur is joined by Michael Robbins, CEO of AUVSI, to explore how autonomy, robotics, and trusted human-machine teams are reshaping modern warfare. The conversation digs into why the future fight will be defined by scale, speed, and trust in autonomy, not just exquisite platforms or legacy thinking.

In this special extended episode of The Skapa Podcast: Creating the Future, host Michael Brasseur sits down with Amir Husain, serial entrepreneur, inventor and bestselling author, for a sweeping conversation about innovation, first principles, and the future of human–machine collaboration. Amir offers a powerful, unflinching view of the future: the rise of intelligent machines, the evolution of wa...

This time, host Michael Brasseur speaks with Jenny McArdle, Managing Director of Helsing US, about how technology, trust, and organizational change are reshaping modern defense. From modeling and simulation to cyber operations and human–machine teaming, Jenny shares insights from her unique journey across government, academia, and industry. She discusses how autonomy, AI, and supply-chain resilien...

In our first episode of Season 2 of The Skapa Podcast: Creating the Future, host Michael Brasseur is joined by Tyler Sweatt, CEO of Second Front Systems. A former U.S. Army officer turned tech leader, Tyler is pioneering how software, AI, and autonomy are transforming defense. From his time at West Point to leading one of America’s most innovative defense startups, Tyler shares his insights on the...

In this episode, Erik Smith, President and CEO of Saab Inc., reflects on his career journey to leading one of the fastest-growing defense companies in the U.S. He discusses Saab’s transformation into a unified, vertically integrated organization, and shares how the company balances innovation and execution.

This time, Michael Brasseur is joined by Whitney McNamara, Senior Vice President at Beacon Global Strategies and a leading voice in defense innovation. Whitney shares her incredible journey, lessons on leadership, and a compelling vision for the future of warfare. Tune in to hear insights on software-defined warfare, empowering risk-takers, and how to turn big ideas into real-world impact. The Ska...

This time, Michael Brassuer is joined by two-time Olympic medalist, former Navy SEAL, and Harpoon Ventures founder Larsen Jensen. Larsen discusses his extraordinary journey, from growing up on an almond farm to competing on the world stage, serving his country, and now investing in transformative defense technologies. With insights on leadership, innovation, and national security, Larsen shares ho...

This time, we sit down with Michael Stewart, outgoing Director of the U.S. Navy’s Disruptive Capabilities Office, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of defense innovation. From decades of service across NATO, the Pentagon, and naval aviation, Michael shares insights on why the U.S. military must rethink its approach to technology, leadership, and risk. The views and opinions expressed b...

This time, we sit down with Fatema Hamdani, co-founder and CEO of Kraus Hamdani Aerospace, to explore the future of unmanned aerial systems. From building the world’s longest-endurance, 100% electric drones to creating resilient communication networks for defense and disaster response, Fatema shares how innovation, purpose, and a people-first philosophy are helping her reshape national security.

Michael Brasseur and Rob Murray are joined by Marcus Wandt – astronaut, test pilot, and now Chief Innovation Officer at Saab. Marcus shares insights on the future of human space exploration, the role of AI and autonomy, and how to build innovative teams that turn bold visions into reality. From redefining "impossible" to building trust between humans and machines, this is a wide-ranging...

This time, hosts Michael Brasseur and Rob Murray speak with author and futurist Peter W. Singer about the evolving landscape of warfare. They discuss AI, robotics and military strategy, lessons from contemporary conflicts, and the role of useful fiction in national security. The Skapa Podcast invites visionary leaders across industries to share their ideal future, unbound by current constraints. T...

This time, hosts Michael Brasseur and Rob Murray discuss the intersection of technology, diplomacy, and national security with Michelle Giuda, CEO of the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue University. The Skapa Podcast invites visionary leaders across industries to share their ideal future, unbound by current constraints. Together, we explore what it would take to turn these visions into...

In our first full episode, hosts Michael Brasseur and Rob Murray are joined by the Minister For Defense of Sweden, Pål Jonson. Pål is a key figure in shaping Sweden’s modern security and defense policies. With a deep understanding of both traditional defense mechanisms and emerging technologies, Pål is at the forefront of ensuring Sweden's armed forces are prepared for the future. The Skapa Po...

Welcome to the debut episode of the brand-new podcast from Saab, Inc.! Join hosts Michael Brasseur and Rob Murray as they share an exciting preview of what’s in store for the upcoming season. Get ready for engaging conversations, exclusive insights, and much more! The Skapa Podcast invites visionary leaders across industries to share their ideal future, unbound by current constraints. Together, we...