
All Quiet on the Second Front
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’s Chief Executive 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 at SecondFront.com
Latest episodes

Dec 5, 2023 • 52min
34. Bridging Tech and Government Through Community with Josh Marcuse
Season 2, Episode 34. Today on All Quiet, Tyler sits down with Josh Marcuse, unraveling the nexus of technology, government, and community. Josh dives into the strategies for building bridges between the public and private sectors, emphasizing the importance of community-driven initiatives. Tyler and Josh discuss innovation ecosystems and public-private partnerships. Josh’s insights on Replicator sheds light on the collaborative approach to overcoming challenges in the tech-government landscape.What’s Happening on the Second Front:Bridging possibilities between tech and governmentReplicator initiative: driving tech for the public goodNavigating tech-government partnership challengesEmpowering impactful collaborations through community solutionsFuture perspectives: charting positive change togetherConnect with Josh:LinkedIn: Joshua MarcuseConnect with Tyler:LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt Website: secondfront.comCatch 2F’s Offset Symposium replay here. This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Nov 27, 2023 • 27min
33. The Human Aspect of Mergers and Acquisitions with Arthur Karell
Arthur Karell, a seasoned expert in corporate development, joins Tyler on All Quiet to discuss the human aspect of mergers and acquisitions. They emphasize aligning financial and strategic knowledge, reducing barriers between financial and policy insights, and cultivating shared ownership for a strong company culture. The podcast explores the significance of thought work in corporate development, the importance of financial literacy, and incentivizing ownership to create long-term value.

Nov 14, 2023 • 23min
32. Thinking About Risk From a Cybersecurity Perspective with Donnie Hasseltine
Cybersecurity expert Donnie Hasseltine joins Tyler to discuss strategies for understanding and mitigating risks in the digital sphere. They explore the balance between cybersecurity and user-friendly accessibility, foundational cybersecurity practices, addressing the human factor in risk management, synergy between government and private tech, and navigating evolving strategies and technologies. This conversation offers a comprehensive view of cybersecurity complexities and practical considerations for safeguarding against vulnerabilities.

Nov 7, 2023 • 29min
31. The Human Element of Tech with Matthew Zimmermann & John Wargo
Season 2, Episode 31. Tyler Sweatt is joined by Matt Zimmermann, CEO, and John Wargo, CTO, of Beast Code. In this episode, they unravel the nuances of the defense tech industry, emphasizing trust, transparency, and meaningful partnerships with government agencies. Matt and John explain how they tackle real-world challenges, focusing on authenticity and innovation, the role of data ownership, and the potential for a cultural shift in data sharing. Tyler, Matt, and John discuss the power of abstraction in bridging the government-tech gap and offer candid insights into the defense tech landscape, showcasing the potential for positive change in national security and government markets.What’s Happening on the Second Front:The challenge of diverse data formats in defense techEnabling common data visualization to streamline processesThe importance of data ownership in defense operationsBridging the gap between government and tech in data sharingThe potential for abstraction to transform the defense tech landscapeConnect with Matt & John:LinkedIn: Matt ZimmermannLinkedIn: John WargoWebsite: beast-code.comConnect with Tyler:LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt Website: secondfront.comCatch 2F’s Offset Symposium replay here. This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Oct 31, 2023 • 35min
30. Unpacking the Cycles: Investment and Innovation in Dual-Use Technologies with Ryan Lewis
Ryan Lewis, venture capital expert, explores the cyclical nature of tech trends in national security, challenges in the defense industrial base, complexities of involving seasoned and newbie investors in aerospace ventures, and the impacts of geopolitics and market conditions on innovation and investment in defense and tech.

Oct 24, 2023 • 25min
29. Tech Advancement Through AI and International Collaboration with Robert Bassett Cross
Founder and CEO of Adarga, Robert Bassett Cross, discusses Vantage, an AI tool revolutionizing defense data analysis. They talk about challenges and effective strategies for entering the US Defense market, AI's role in national security, and the future of emerging technologies in defense. The discussion also highlights the importance of interdepartmental teamwork and rapid tech adoption, as well as the industry's role in policy and technological advancements.

Oct 17, 2023 • 37min
28. The Tactical Edge of Quick Problem-Solving with Nick Sinai
Season 2, Episode 28. Today on All Quiet, Tyler chats with the accomplished Nick Sinai, author of "Hack Your Bureaucracy," senior advisor at Insight Partners, and adjunct faculty at Harvard University. Tyler and Nick get right to it and delve into defense innovation. Together, they discuss the transformative influence of venture capital and the melding of policy and action within the Department of Defense. Drawing from Nick's extensive experience, the discussion sheds light on many of today's defense challenges and the avenues for innovative solutions.What’s Happening on the Second Front:The importance of efficient growth in venture-backed defense companiesThe challenge of tech interoperability in defense operationsPrioritizing APIs in early R&DBottom-up innovation and the potential of new training programsThe effectiveness of concentrated, cross-functional teams in acquisition and innovationGet your copy of Hack Your BureaucracyConnect with Nick:LinkedIn: Nick SinaiConnect with Tyler:LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt Website: secondfront.comCatch 2F’s Offset Symposium replay here. This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Oct 10, 2023 • 30min
27. SkillBridge, Startups, and Strategy: The Criticality of People in Defense Ventures with Ian Eishen
Season 2, Episode 27. Today on All Quiet, Tyler is joined by Ian Eishen, Director of the Global Public Sector for Aalyria, where Ian brings his seasoned public sector expertise from his 23-year active duty role with the Department of Defense. During the episode, Tyler and Ian do a deep dive into Ian's rich experience—from his roles in Intel and special operations to his present endeavors with Aalyria’s innovative communication technology. They highlight the intricacies of transitioning from a military background to the dynamic world of startups and emphasize the importance of continual learning and adaptability. They also touch on the challenges of melding the private sector with government frameworks and discuss their push towards a harmonious synergy that propels both sectors towards success. What’s Happening on the Second Front:Military-to-startup transition challengesAdapting and learning in modern businessesSignificance of proper onboarding processes for new hiresCollaborative growth: cross-functional teams and industry-government partnershipsThe blueprint for building a startup from zeroConnect with Ian:LinkedIn: Ian EishenConnect with Tyler:LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt Website: secondfront.comCatch 2F’s Offset Symposium replay here. This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Oct 3, 2023 • 28min
26. Building Trust in Autonomous Software with Ahmed Humayun
Ahmed Humayun, leading the federal growth team at Applied Intuition, discusses challenges in transitioning successful R&D projects into government use, the aspect of trust in deploying autonomous systems, rethinking the requirements development process, incorporating user feedback, and strategies for transitioning to autonomous software.

Sep 26, 2023 • 30min
25. Are We Winning? A Decade of Gov Reform with Marina Nitze
Season 2, Episode 25. Today on All Quiet, Enrique Oti and author of Hack Your Bureaucracy, Marina Nitze explore the real-world strategies for making government workflows more efficient and responsive. Marina shares her battle-tested strategies involving crisis management, process mapping, and incentive calibration to better navigate the bureaucratic maze.What’s Happening on the Second Front:Marina's unique take on bureaucracy as a living, adaptable systemMastering process mapping in crisis and non-crisis situationsFine-tuning incentives for maximum impactThe importance of cross-departmental collaboration for organizational effectivenessDriving behavior change through hard numbers and insightsThe most fun method of bureaucracy hackingWIRED article mentionedConnect with Marina:LinkedIn: Marina NitzeMarina’s book: Hack Your BureaucracyConnect with Enrique:LinkedIn: Enrique OtiConnect with Tyler:LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt Website: secondfront.comCatch 2F’s Offset Symposium replay here. This show is produced by Soulfire Productions