All Quiet on the Second Front

Today on the show, Tyler sits with Bonnie Evangelista, Tradewind Execution Lead at the DoD Chief Digital and AI Office. Bonnie’s procurement background gives us some unique insight into the federal contracting and acquisition process, from start to finish. In this episode, she passionately opens up about how the government has begun transforming conventional procurement models and mindsets in an effort to create new ways to streamline the deal-making process. Shameless plug - You’re invited to our 2023 Offset Symposium on May 16 in Washington, DC. Get your tickets today!What’s Happening on the Second Front:Why traditional contracting is not working for emerging technologyLeveraging your competitive playground: Three mechanisms that give the government buyer maximum flexibilityWhat the government is doing to minimize ‘red tape fatigue’ and make the contract process less intimidating The pros and cons of negotiating in an unstructured environment  Connect with Bonnie:LinkedIn: Bonnie EvangelistaConnect with Tyler:LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt Website: secondfront.comThis show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Tyler chats with Lauren Hansen-Armendariz, a national security innovator. They discuss scaling innovation in the military, tracking innovation across the enterprise, challenges of finding and retaining talent in a military software unit, and creating impact and picturing retirement.

In this episode, Tyler chats with Paul Puckett,the Chief Technology Officer at Clarity, a small business software development company focused on redefining the way the government employs technology to help make our country, and world, a better place. Paul and Tyler nerd out over their passion for solving problems in tech and business alike, discussing the changes in philosophy and deployment that they believe can help support the missions of startups across the globe.  Shameless plug - You’re invited to our 2023 Offset Symposium on May 16 in Washington, DC. Get your tickets today!What’s Happening on the Second Front:How Paul’s love for problem solving propelled him from college dropout to sought after software engineerQuestioning the way startups approach the ‘valley of death’Why Paul is an optimist—despite the absence of data to support itQuality over Scale: Re-prioritizing business objectivesThe importance of knowing your company’s role in the value system Connect with Paul:LinkedIn: Paul PuckettWebsite: clarityinnovates.comConnect with Tyler:LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt Website: secondfront.comThis show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Today on All Quiet, Tyler sits with the Chief Technology Officer of Second Front Systems, a man he describes as the ‘Software Jesus of the Air Force,’ Enrique Oti. Enrique opens up about some of his blindspots throughout his career, why it’s important to note the distinction between innovation and creativity, as well as his excitement to continue to witness the rapid tactical changes caused by drones in combat. Shameless plug - You’re invited to our 2023 Offset Symposium on May 16 in Washington, DC. Get your tickets today!What’s Happening on the Second Front:Why it’s important to be engaged with your community The problem with the overuse of the word ‘innovation’How drone warfare is changing the tactics of fightingEnrique’s retirement desires: Living a nomadic lifestyle Connect with Enrique:LinkedIn: Enrique OtiConnect with Tyler:LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt Website: secondfront.comThis show is produced by Soulfire Productions

In today’s episode, Tyler takes a step away from defense tech and welcomes in Harrison Smith and Molly Cain from the IRS. The three talk about the opportunities for commercial technology in federal agencies as well as some of the interesting transformation that this team is driving over at the IRS. Harrison and Molly open up about what it’s like to work together, how they aim to increase partnerships with startups, and why they are dedicated to making the tax experience more efficient, and enjoyable, for all parties involved.Shameless plug - You’re invited to our 2023 Offset Symposium on May 16 in Washington, DC. Get your tickets today!What’s Happening on the Second Front:Why commercial companies should work with the IRS: Each step of the pitch to contract process Additional ways the government can support startups beyond SBIR grantsImportant things you didn’t know the IRS was responsible forMaking taxes easy and enjoyable to drive voluntary complianceConnect with Harrison:LinkedIn: Harrison SmithConnect with Molly:LinkedIn: Molly CainConnect with Tyler:LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt Website: secondfront.comThis show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Today on the show, Tyler chats about the path to working in defense tech with two of Silicon Valley Defense Group’s early-career employees, Dylan Mullins & Sarah Hess. The two shed light on some of the reasons behind the ongoing challenge of attracting and retaining young tech talent within the sphere of national security. They share their own stories, including the hiring process, as well as the pros and cons of working in this industry. Finally, they open up about why they chose to do government work and give their pitch for why defense is a viable, and admirable, destination for the next generation of tech workers.Shameless plug - You’re invited to our 2023 Offset Symposium on May 16 in Washington, DC. Get you tickets today!What’s Happening on the Second Front:Acknowledging the slow clearing process for new defense tech workers Why the pace of private sector jobs is so attractive How to stop the mass exodus of early-career tech talent from government workA call for leadership and direction-setting across innovation units Why there’s never been a better time to work in defenseConnect with Dylan:LinkedIn: Dylan MullinsWebsite: siliconvalleydefense.orgConnect with Sarah:LinkedIn: Sarah HessWebsite: siliconvalleydefense.org/Connect with Tyler:LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt Website: secondfront.comThis show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Today Tyler talks with Mike Moreno, a former CIA Operations Officer who now works at the boundaries of technology and global stability within the public sector, VC community, startups and in his role with the business development team at Amazon Web Services (AWS). In this episode, Mike talks about how AWS aims to address limitations in the government’s willingness to accelerate the transition and support the scale of commercial tech.What’s Happening on the Second Front:AWS’s process for working with startupsThe purpose behind Second Front Systems’ Offset SymposiumWhy Mike believes it’s a great time to both build and invest in companiesAdvocating for investments in deep tech startups both in the US and in our allies abroad Mike’s lifelong commitment to his family and the betterment of the worldConnect with Mike:LinkedIn: Mike MorenoWebsite: aws.amazon.comConnect with Tyler:LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt Website: secondfront.comThis show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Today on All Quiet, Tyler cracks a beer with James Cross, the managing director of Franklin Templeton and one of the co-founders of the Silicon Valley Defense Group (SVDG). They advocate for startups by explaining how current policy and the interest of the primes favors small businesses, as well as discussing James’ approach to venture capital and the importance of visible leadership by organizations like the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) . The two round out the show by offering up some policy changes that could help startups scale in the defense sector, and with James explaining why he wants to end his career in education, developing thought leadership and curriculum to guide the next generation of defense leaders. What’s Happening on the Second Front:Explaining SVDG’s NatSec100 for top national security company rankingsResponse to the leadership deficit in defense innovationPolicy recommendations to help support startupsPositive, exciting and scary trends we’re seeing on Capitol Hill James’ ambitions to teach after his time with the SVDGConnect with James:LinkedIn: James CrossWebsite: franklintempleton.comConnect with Tyler:LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt Website: secondfront.comThis show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Today on the show, Tyler is joined by the executive director at Silicon Valley Defense Group, venture partner at Franklin Venture Partners and former defense innovation extraordinaire, Sam Gray. Sam has a diverse background as a U.S. Navy pilot, then working in the Pentagon with some of the most pressing innovation challenges and some of the most prominent leaders, and now navigates both the private capital and non-profit sectors of defense tech. In this episode, Tyler and Sam take a deep dive into raising capital: from what makes startups attractive to venture capitalists, to everything you should and should not expect from a dedicated and educated VC, and a whole lot more. You’re bound to learn a thing or two, so you’d better get a pen and paper handy.  What’s Happening on the Second Front:Assessing changes in the defense climateCommon startup qualities that attract venture capitalists Why it’s hard to sustain confidence in the government's ability to scale techOther measures of success aside from securing SBIR contractsLife after defense tech: retirement goals Connect with Sam:LinkedIn: Sam GrayWebsite: siliconvalleydefense.com Connect with Tyler:LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt Website: secondfront.comThis show is produced by Soulfire Productions

If Between Two Ferns and C-SPAN had a child, it would be All Quiet on the Second Front. Blending the very best (and the worst) of government gravitas with technical expertise, Second Front Systems’ Chief Revenue Officer, Tyler Sweatt, cuts through the noise and the bureaucratic BS surrounding all things defense tech, national security, and government markets. Be warned: this is not your typical military or government podcast. As host, Tyler has an uncanny ability to get people to talk honestly, making candid conversations that are equally informative and entertaining. All Quiet on the Second Front is the much-needed integrator connecting listeners to experts across fields in an approachable format that offers a fun experience with real conversations, driving real change in the defense tech industry and U.S. national security. Learn more about Second Front Systems at SecondFront.com