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Goat Rodeo
Goat Rodeo
33 episodes
21 hours ago
National security, defense tech, and geopolitics—serious topics, but that doesn’t mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare. Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take—because let’s be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo. New episodes every week. If you’re serious about defense but don’t take yourself too seriously—subscribe now!
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All content for Goat Rodeo is the property of Goat Rodeo and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
National security, defense tech, and geopolitics—serious topics, but that doesn’t mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare. Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take—because let’s be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo. New episodes every week. If you’re serious about defense but don’t take yourself too seriously—subscribe now!
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Politics
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Episodes (20/33)
Goat Rodeo
Goat Rodeo #33 ft. Brad Palm - Ironman Pipedreams and AI Nationalism

This Episode:

The Goat Rodeo crew is joined by Brad Palm, COO at Dreadnode, for a deep dive into the realities of AI in defense. The team breaks down the myth of the soldiers Ironman suit, why true innovation starts with the end user, and how private industry continues to outpace the Pentagon.


They also hit on Canada’s massive defense spending boost, the shifting landscape of international defense tech, and the DoD’s latest reform push. All that, plus the usual Goat Rodeo banter and a few thoughts on “hyper-enabled” nonsense.


Timestamps:

0:15 Marine Corps Ball Attire

5:06 Official Intro

5:55 Introduction to Brad & Dreadnode

15:40 Canada’s Defense Budget Boost

20:00 Growing International Anti-American-Tech Sentiment

21:05 AI Nationalism

27:17 Shyam Sankar NYT Interview

29:57 The Iron Man Suit Pipedream

44:42  Hegseth’s Upcoming Defense Reform

52:08 Gov Shutdown


Our Podcast: 

National security, defense tech, and geopolitics; serious topics, but that doesn’t mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare. 


Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take, because let’s be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo.


Listen on other platforms:


Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mTJ1oJEgB3rCbQouCL7XD?si=9b2647b843144469


Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/goat-rodeo/id1801310605 


YouTube: youtube.com/@GoatRodeoPodcast

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1 day ago
1 hour 1 minute 1 second

Goat Rodeo
Goat Rodeo #32 - Trump’s Asia Tour, The Counter-Drone Race, and the Right to Repair

This Episode:


The Goat Rodeo crew is back, diving into Trump’s Asia tour, defense alliances, and the evolving balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. The team unpacks Japan and South Korea’s deepening military partnerships with the U.S., the growing importance of foreign military sales, and what it means for America’s long-term China strategy.


From Seoul’s defense ambitions to the counter-drone arms race, they explore how defense technology is globalizing fast... and where startups fit in.


Plus: lessons from Ukraine and Taiwan, the Pentagon’s new “Right to Repair” policy, and the growing call for self-sufficiency at the edge. And, of course, Simon’s shutdown predictions return, alongside plenty of Rip It-fueled banter about wizards, warfighters, and the true nature of innovation.


Our Podcast:


National security, defense tech, and geopolitics; serious topics, but that doesn’t mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare.


Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take, because let’s be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo.


Listen on other platforms:


Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mTJ1oJEgB3rCbQouCL7XD?si=9b2647b843144469


Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/goat-rodeo/id1801310605


YouTube: youtube.com/@GoatRodeoPodcast

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1 week ago
46 minutes 34 seconds

Goat Rodeo
Goat Rodeo #31 - Wizards, Warfighters, and the Hyper-Enabled Hype

This Episode:


The Goat Rodeo crew digs into the rise of the “hyper-enabled soldier” — what’s real, what’s hype, and how much of it actually helps the warfighter. Fresh off AUSA, they talk about Anduril’s new EagleEye headset, the limits of wearable tech, and why human capability still anchors every fight.


Also on deck: JP Morgan’s new defense fund, Firestorm’s big win, and how investors can navigate the realities of the DoD market. Plus, government shutdown updates, subterranean warfare, and why sometimes the simplest tools still win the day.


Our Podcast: 


National security, defense tech, and geopolitics; serious topics, but that doesn’t mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare. 


Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take, because let’s be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo.

Listen on other platforms:


Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mTJ1oJEgB3rCbQouCL7XD?si=9b2647b843144469


Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/goat-rodeo/id1801310605 


YouTube: youtube.com/@GoatRodeoPodcast


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3 weeks ago
58 minutes 26 seconds

Goat Rodeo
Goat Rodeo #30 - Former Secretary of Defense Chris Miller

This Episode:


This week, the Goat Rodeo crew is joined by Chris Miller, an American Special Forces Colonel who went on to serve as Acting United States Secretary of Defense. We cover everything from Rip-Its to today’s flashpoints: Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Palestine, and Taiwan and China. Along the way, Chris reminds us of a hard truth: the technology and players may change, but the nature of war never does.


Our Podcast: 


National security, defense tech, and geopolitics; serious topics, but that doesn’t mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare. 

Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take, because let’s be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo.


Listen on other platforms:


Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mTJ1oJEgB3rCbQouCL7XD?si=9b2647b843144469


Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/goat-rodeo/id1801310605 


YouTube: youtube.com/@GoatRodeoPodcast


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4 weeks ago
54 minutes 43 seconds

Goat Rodeo
Goat Rodeo #29 - Shutdown Showdown, Quantico Summons, and SBIR Spirals

This Episode:


The Goat Rodeo crew kicks things off with cowboy hats in Michigan, record-breaking Zach Bryan concerts, and Dave’s take on a Power-flavored Rip-It (“tastes like combat and victory”) before diving headfirst into the week’s chaos.


At the center: the government shutdown. What does it mean for the NDAA, DoD budgets, and startups trying to break in? Simon sees gridlock, Dave breaks down how furloughs turn simple contract flows into a nightmare, and Garrett explains why timing matters when obligated dollars collide with Washington dysfunction.


From SBIR reauthorization to TACFI and STRATFI, the team debates the future of innovation funding. Should SBIR programs take equity stakes in companies? Some say yes, we say hell no. Dave offers fixes, Garrett gives the summary, and Simon calls out the politics.


And to wrap: generals summoned to Quantico, more proof that defense culture is as unpredictable as ever, and the ongoing circus of Congress in a shutdown year.


Our Podcast: 


National security, defense tech, and geopolitics; serious topics, but that doesn’t mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare. 


Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take, because let’s be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo.


Listen on other platforms:


Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mTJ1oJEgB3rCbQouCL7XD?si=9b2647b843144469


Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/goat-rodeo/id1801310605 


YouTube: youtube.com/@GoatRodeoPodcast

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1 month ago
1 hour 6 minutes 27 seconds

Goat Rodeo
Goat Rodeo #28 - Taiwan on Edge, Venture Abroad, and Simon’s Shutdown Prophecy

This Episode:


Dave may be the coolest guy at Home Depot, but even he can’t get excited about CENTCOM opening yet another innovation shop. The crew unpacks whether China is truly expansionist, how much Taiwan really hates the mainland, and what role the U.S. should play if Beijing decides to make a move.


They also dive into venture capital flowing into Ukraine and Taiwan, the booming global market for small drones, and Simon’s not-so-rosy prediction: a 75% chance of a looming U.S. government shutdown.


Our Podcast: 


National security, defense tech, and geopolitics; serious topics, but that doesn’t mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare. 


Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take, because let’s be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo.


Listen on other platforms:


Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mTJ1oJEgB3rCbQouCL7XD?si=9b2647b843144469


Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/goat-rodeo/id1801310605 


YouTube: youtube.com/@GoatRodeoPodcast


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1 month ago
51 minutes

Goat Rodeo
Goat Rodeo #27 - Russian Drones in Poland, $290M for Divergent, and Shutdown Watch

Goat Rodeo #27 – Russian Drones in Poland, $290M for Divergent, and Shutdown Watch


This Episode:


Garrett checks in from Taiwan, Simon’s flying the flag for Taiwanese punk, and the crew dives right into a string of escalations: more than 10 Russian drones were shot down over Poland, a provocation with massive implications for U.S. defense companies and foreign military sales.


On the home front, they break down why small companies get punished no matter how good they are, while the big players keep rolling. HIMARS comes up, Divergent announces a staggering $290M Series E, and the Army’s FUZE program raises big questions about spiral-style funding and whether the DoD is acting like a VC.


Rounding things out: a quick look at CMMC headaches, and Simon’s not-so-rosy prediction that the government is headed for a shutdown in just 12 days...one that could stretch months.


Our Podcast:


National security, defense tech, and geopolitics—serious topics, but that doesn’t mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare.


Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take—because let’s be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo.



Listen on other platforms:


Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mTJ1oJEgB3rCbQouCL7XD?si=9b2647b843144469


Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/goat-rodeo/id1801310605


YouTube: youtube.com/@GoatRodeoPodcast

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1 month ago
1 hour 13 minutes 59 seconds

Goat Rodeo
Goat Rodeo #26 - RIP JCIDS, The Innovation Circus, and Power Hugs

This Episode:


Xi, Putin, Modi, and Kim hug it out in China. Was it a signal of realignment, or just optics? Garrett isn’t convinced, but Simon digs into why India’s presence matters.


Back in the Western Hemisphere, the crew unpacks U.S. strikes on narco targets. Are they legal? Are they moral? Are we poking a sleeping bear? And what does it mean for SOUTHCOM and NORTHCOM as resources start to flow their way?


In defense tech, Vector steps out of stealth with a $61 million raise, fueling debate over what “warfare as a service” really looks like. Meanwhile, Doug Beck departs DIU, Replicator calls its Switchblade rollout a success, and Simon re-christens DICE as the Defense Innovation Circus.


Finally, we tackle the bureaucratic rollercoaster inside the Pentagon. JCIDS may be dead, but its replacement looks awfully familiar. Plus, the rise of counter-UAS task forces and Project Flytrap’s push to let the Joes solve their own drone problems.


Our Podcast:


National security, defense tech, and geopolitics—serious topics, but that doesn’t mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare.


Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take—because let’s be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo.


Listen on other platforms:


Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mTJ1oJEgB3rCbQouCL7XD?si=9b2647b843144469


Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/goat-rodeo/id1801310605


YouTube: youtube.com/@GoatRodeoPodcast

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2 months ago
45 minutes 20 seconds

Goat Rodeo
Goat Rodeo #25 - Short Announcement

No full episode this week - just an update from Garrett!

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2 months ago
5 minutes 52 seconds

Goat Rodeo
Goat Rodeo #24 – B-2 Diplomacy, DIY Drones, and the DoD Shake-Up

This Episode:


We kick things off with the Putin-Trump summit in Alaska and ask what the B-2 flyover really meant. We also dig into Russia’s strike on the FLEX facility in Ukraine, where American employees were critically injured, and what this may mean for U.S. posture in INDOPACOM and beyond.


Back at home, the crew talks about the rise of DIY drones. With Oceanside PD and military labs building their own solutions, we ask why American drone vendors are failing to meet demand for affordable and capable systems.


Finally, we cover major changes coming inside the Department of Defense. Army Futures Command and Training Doctrine Command are considering a merge, PEOs are being reorganized, and acquisition timelines could accelerate. The big question is whether talent and authority inside the DoD can keep pace.


Our Podcast: 


National security, defense tech, and geopolitics. Serious topics, but that doesn’t mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare. 


Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take, because let’s be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo.


Listen on other platforms:


Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mTJ1oJEgB3rCbQouCL7XD?si=9b2647b843144469


Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/goat-rodeo/id1801310605 


YouTube: youtube.com/@GoatRodeoPodcast


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2 months ago
49 minutes 15 seconds

Goat Rodeo
Goat Rodeo #23 – NVIDIA Chips, DoD Moats, and American Mines

This Episode:


For the first time ever, all three hosts are together in person at Reveal HQ in Bozeman, Montana. This week, they brought some heat. The team digs into the latest headlines including the rumored Trump / Putin meeting in Alaska, growing tensions around U.S. strategic posturing, and a wild new NVIDIA deal that gives the U.S. government a 15% revenue share on chip sales to China.


They also break down the “moat” surrounding defense contracting. Outsiders hate it, insiders love it, and it’s what makes the DoD both an irresistible and maddening customer. Simon offers a Capitol Hill update, and the group gets into a discussion about America’s mineral strategy and how critical the mining industry is to defense.


Our Podcast: 


National security, defense tech, and geopolitics—serious topics, but that doesn’t mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare. 


Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take—because let’s be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo.

Listen on other platforms:


Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mTJ1oJEgB3rCbQouCL7XD?si=9b2647b843144469


Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/goat-rodeo/id1801310605 


YouTube: youtube.com/@GoatRodeoPodcast


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2 months ago
44 minutes 57 seconds

Goat Rodeo
Goat Rodeo #22 ft. Garrett Asta- To the Moon: Space Launches and the Defense Investment Surge

This Episode:

Defense investing is taking off, literally and figuratively. This week, the crew is joined by Garrett Asta from Houlihan Lokey to break down the current boom in venture, private equity, and public markets across the defense and space sectors. With more VC-backed companies showing up than ever before, it's clear: the market is hot. But is it overheating?


We unpack the signals driving investor interest, why traditional defense value paradigms are shifting, and whether the bubble might be forming around defense tech. Garrett, Dave, and Simon compare venture-backed growth, public market momentum, and the expanding role of private equity. 


Meanwhile, rising tension with Chinese and Russian military exercises has the U.S. allegedly repositioning nuclear assets, and SpaceX finds itself caught in political headwinds. We also touch on why most defense software isn’t actually software-only, and what changes in DoD’s buying behavior might mean for capital markets in the years ahead.


Our Podcast: 

National security, defense tech, and geopolitics- serious topics, but that doesn’t mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare. 


Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take—because let’s be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo.



Listen on other platforms:


Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mTJ1oJEgB3rCbQouCL7XD?si=9b2647b843144469


Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/goat-rodeo/id1801310605


YouTube: youtube.com/@GoatRodeoPodcast


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3 months ago
54 minutes 50 seconds

Goat Rodeo
Goat Rodeo #21 ft. Brian MacCarthy – AI Arms Race, Space Monopoly, and the Compute Power Crunch

This Episode: China’s racing to put 30,000 satellites in orbit. The White House just dropped a sweeping AI action plan. And OpenAI and its partners are reportedly putting $500B toward next-gen data centers. The question is: can the U.S. keep up?

We break down the global battle for tech dominance—across space, compute, and policy. From the energy demands of AI infrastructure to whether a single company should control the commercial space race, the crew takes on the geopolitics of emerging tech.

Also in this episode: Reveal raises $30M in Series B, and Booz Allen adds $200M to its venture fund.

Our Podcast: 

National security, defense tech, and geopolitics—serious topics, but that doesn’t mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare. 

Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take—because let’s be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo.

Listen on other platforms:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mTJ1oJEgB3rCbQouCL7XD?si=9b2647b843144469

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/goat-rodeo-20-ft-alex-martin-clearspeed-polygraphs/id1801310605?i=1000718844180

YouTube: youtube.com/@GoatRodeoPodcast

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3 months ago
40 minutes 13 seconds

Goat Rodeo
Goat Rodeo #20 ft. Alex Martin – Clearspeed, Polygraphs, and the Art of the Pivot

This Week:

We’re joined by Alex Martin, CEO of Clearspeed—a voice-based risk screening company that’s been quietly making waves in national security, intelligence, and defense. A fellow Marine and GWOT-era vet, Alex has seen firsthand how hard it is to stay on mission when DoD priorities shift and contracting obstacles pile up. 

We talk with Alex about the limitations of legacy tools like the polygraph, why trust and deterrence still matter, and how screening technology is evolving. The conversation also hits on the improving landscape for defense tech venture funding, the frustrating imbalance between commercial incentives and national priorities, and why it’s time more technical talent picked mission over margin.

The crew also digs into legacy primes falling behind, new questions on Army procurement power, and Simon’s latest from Capitol Hill. It’s a full house—and this time, it’s all Marines.

Our Podcast: 

National security, defense tech, and geopolitics—serious topics, but that doesn’t mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare. 

Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take—because let’s be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo.

Listen on other platforms:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mTJ1oJEgB3rCbQouCL7XD?si=fd69212e4e3a42ba

 

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/goat-rodeo/id1801310605

 

YouTube: youtube.com/@GoatRodeoPodcast

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3 months ago
57 minutes 18 seconds

Goat Rodeo
Goat Rodeo #19 – The 3D Printed Warfighter, O-6 Power, and SecDef Drone Memos,

This episode: Are we witnessing a Middle East cooldown—or just a pause between strikes? A new Western-friendly president in Syria sparks debate (plus, Garrett’s tinfoil theory you don’t want to miss).

Meanwhile, Firestorm Labs closes a $47M Series A and earns big love from the team for what could be a breakthrough in distributed, mobile drone manufacturing—giving warfighters the tools to innovate in the field.

We also break down the Hegseth Drone Memo, which could push real tactical autonomy down to O-6s, enable drone training centers, and shift Blue UAS oversight from DIU to DCMA. Will this decentralize innovation or create a Franken-force? And most importantly—will these commanders actually have any money?

Simon gives a Capitol Hill rundown, breaks down the latest from the NDAA and SPEED Act, and makes the case for why defense startups need someone fluent in the language of Congress.

Our Podcast:

National security, defense tech, and geopolitics—serious topics, but that doesn’t mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare. Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take—because let’s be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo.

Listen on other platforms:

Spotify: shorturl.at/spotify-gr

Apple Podcasts: shorturl.at/apple-gr

YouTube: youtube.com/@GoatRodeoPodcast

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3 months ago
49 minutes 2 seconds

Goat Rodeo
Goat Rodeo #18 – 90 Days or Bust: SPEED, RAPID, and DoD’s Buying Overhaul

This episode: Congress wants to slash requirement validation timelines from years to months. With the SPEED Act and a proposed RAPID directorate on the table, the DoD is eyeing an overhaul of its acquisition system, aiming to reduce the average 800-day process down to 90 days. The crew breaks down what these reforms could realistically change, where optimism collides with bureaucracy, and why even with RAPID’s proposed mandate, buying fast won’t be simple.

Meanwhile, Middle East tensions simmer as signals of potential normalization emerge alongside continued Houthi attacks on shipping, and Ukraine’s arms flow is paused and restarted in the same breath. NATO member countries are ramping up defense venture activity in response to increased spending commitments, but it remains a fraction of U.S. defense budgets.

Also: Simon watched Independence Day, Dave survived the boat parade, and Garrett calls out the gap between policy hype and delivery reality. Just another week on Goat Rodeo.

Our Podcast: National security, defense tech, and geopolitics—serious topics, but that doesn’t mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare. Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take—because let’s be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo.

Listen on other platforms: Spotify: spoti.fi/3J1kGcO Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3IdB9gA YouTube: youtube.com/@GoatRodeoPodcast

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4 months ago
50 minutes 1 second

Goat Rodeo
Goat Rodeo #17 – Big Beautiful Bills, Budget Activity #9, and Ukraine’s Drone Future

This episode: As the kids take over at home, Congress is (maybe) passing one of the biggest defense budget bills in history. The crew unpacks the latest on the “Big Beautiful Bill,” the parliamentarian gutting it, and why reconciliation has never failed (until maybe now).

Dave breaks down a hidden gem in the bill: $690M for Budget Activity #9, aimed at counter-drone, drone effects, and electronic warfare. We dig into why this targeted funding is a better approach, and how it could give PEOs real flexibility to field capabilities faster.

Garrett offers an apology to FFRDCs, and the team debates why SBIR should focus less on phase 1s and 2s, and more on phase 3 transitions that actually deliver capabilities. Obviant gets a redemption arc, and we explore whether Ukraine, post-war, could become China’s top competitor in drone manufacturing, with hard-earned lessons in software, supply chain, and operational scaling.

Also, Simon is watching Love Island and Congress is chaos. A very Goat Rodeo week.

Our Podcast: National security, defense tech, and geopolitics—serious topics, but that doesn’t mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare. Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take—because let’s be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo.

Listen on other platforms: Spotify: spoti.fi/3J1kGcO Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3IdB9gA YouTube: youtube.com/@GoatRodeoPodcast

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4 months ago
43 minutes 39 seconds

Goat Rodeo
Goat Rodeo #16 – Ceasefire Games, NATO’s 5%, and the RDT&E Black Hole

This episode: U.S. struck Iran with B-2’s, and the ceasefire seems very fragile. Garrett, Simon, and Dave unpack the latest strikes, Iranian posturing, and what it means for deterrence.

Meanwhile, NATO makes waves with a new 5% defense spending pledge (sort of), and defense innovation dollars keep flowing. The team digs into Obviant’s $7M raise, the challenge of scaling neo-primes, and why so much of the RDT&E system—especially FFRDCs and UARCs—feels like a black hole for tax dollars.

Also: a $1.5B contract for Carnegie Mellon SEI IDIQ, why Congress still hasn’t dropped a draft budget, and Simon’s unofficial new job as the DoD’s interagency matchmaker.

Our Podcast: National security, defense tech, and geopolitics—serious topics, but that doesn’t mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare. Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take—because let’s be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo.

Listen on other platforms: Spotify: spoti.fi/3J1kGcO Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3IdB9gA YouTube: youtube.com/@GoatRodeoPodcast

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4 months ago
51 minutes 7 seconds

Goat Rodeo
Goat Rodeo #15 – Israel Vs. Iran, AI in Uniform, and the Rise of the Tech O-5

This episode: Israel’s latest strikes on Iranian nuclear and missile sites show just how deep their long game goes—decades of tradecraft, infiltration, and information warfare. Garrett, Simon, and Dave unpack what makes Israel’s influence operations so effective, and whether Iran’s regime is finally starting to crack.

Meanwhile, OpenAI just landed a $200M Pentagon contract, signaling a new chapter in how the DoD engages with commercial AI players. We break down the implications for go-to-market strategy, compliance, and what this means for everyone still stuck outside the wire.

Plus: massive defense tech funding rounds, Capitol Hill’s budget mess, and why tech execs getting military rank has the community talking.

Our Podcast: National security, defense tech, and geopolitics—serious topics, but that doesn’t mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare. Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take—because let’s be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo.

Listen on other platforms: Spotify: spoti.fi/3J1kGcO Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3IdB9gA YouTube: youtube.com/@GoatRodeoPodcast

 

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4 months ago
51 minutes 58 seconds

Goat Rodeo
Goat Rodeo #14 – Coffee, Cartridges, and Reconciliation

This episode: Garrett’s got a fancy espresso in hand and a new 6.5 Creedmoor rifle in the safe. Simon lays out why he expects the DoD budget to tighten. And Dave breaks down why the House Armed Services Committee thinks acquisition needs a reboot—with the SPEED Act leading the charge.

The crew covers where the defense budget is actually changing (hint: it’s not shrinking overall, but it is shifting), and what startups should know about competing in a world of smaller slices and faster timelines.

Also on deck: Palmer Luckey eyes an Anduril IPO, the civil liberties questions raised by Palantir’s proposed government database, and how American capitalism still gives defense innovation a fighting chance—if the policy keeps up.

Our Podcast: National security, defense tech, and geopolitics—serious topics, but that doesn’t mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare. Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take—because let’s be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo.

Listen on other platforms: Spotify: spoti.fi/3J1kGcO Apple Podcasts: apple.co/3IdB9gA YouTube: youtube.com/@GoatRodeoPodcastc

Show more...
4 months ago
54 minutes 50 seconds

Goat Rodeo
National security, defense tech, and geopolitics—serious topics, but that doesn’t mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare. Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take—because let’s be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo. New episodes every week. If you’re serious about defense but don’t take yourself too seriously—subscribe now!