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This Episode: The Goat Rodeo crew is joined by Chris Booth, who’s worn a lot of hats across a long national security career. He’s served as a Soldier, an attorney, a national security professional, and a writer and thinker, most recently retiring from the CIA. He brings a sharp, grounded perspective to a wide-ranging conversation on where power, money, and institutions are colliding right now. The group unpacks the ripple effects still moving through Washington and the national security community, what renewed interest in U.S. shipbuilding really signals, and how venture capital is pushing deeper into intelligence and defense spaces that were once closed off. They also dig into what happens when private capital meets government secrecy, how incentives shift when investors enter the IC ecosystem, and where the risks actually lie. As always, there’s no shortage of candid takes on markets, institutions, and the uncomfortable tradeoffs shaping the future of national security. 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: https://linktr.ee/GoatRodeoPodcast

This Episode: This week on Goat Rodeo, the crew kicks things off with a quick review of BattleLab Episode 2 before jumping into a geopolitics trifecta covering Iran, Greenland, and the expiration of New START and what it signals for global nuclear policy. From there, the conversation shifts to defense modernization, including the new Drone Dominance program, Golden Dome, the role of DIU, and the Shield IDIQ. The team also discusses how these initiatives fit into the broader acquisition landscape and where real capability delivery can get lost in “acquisition theater.” To close, the team does an update on the DHS shutdown, what it means for federal employees, and what a positive outcome might look like. 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: https://linktr.ee/GoatRodeoPodcast

This Episode: This week, the Goat Rodeo crew digs into a fast-moving moment for U.S. defense and global security. They look into the latest government shutdown drama, why DHS funding has become the political choke point, and what a short shutdown actually means for defense programs, contracting officers, and acquisition timelines. From there, the conversation shifts to the newly released 2026 National Defense Strategy. The team breaks down what it signals about a pivot toward the Western Hemisphere, homeland defense, and more transactional alliances, and debates whether this strategy will meaningfully reshape budgets, force structure, or acquisition priorities. They also unpack major developments inside China, including the unprecedented purge of senior PLA leadership. What does it say about readiness, internal trust, and Beijing’s real appetite for a Taiwan conflict? Finally, the episode turns to the defense venture landscape. With capital flowing, valuations heating up, and bold claims about startup-led national security, the crew debates what’s real, what’s aspirational, and where innovation actually fits alongside primes, the industrial base, and long-term defense realities. 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

This Episode: This week on Goat Rodeo, Garrett, Simon, and Dave cover a wide range of defense and national security topics, from Arctic posture and Greenland’s strategic relevance to renewed excitement around DIU and defense innovation. The conversation moves through Ukraine, where battlefield realities are colliding with venture-backed defense tech, and into broader questions about testing, maturity, and responsibility when deploying new capabilities in live conflicts. They also discuss acquisition reform, transition challenges, and how incentives inside the defense ecosystem shape what actually gets fielded. Rounding things out, the crew looks at budgets, policy dynamics, and what defense companies should be paying attention to as geopolitics, innovation, and procurement continue to converge. 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

This Episode: The Goat Rodeo crew breaks down the recent U.S. raid targeting Venezuelan leadership and what it signals about American power and priorities in the Western Hemisphere. They discuss why these actions matter beyond Venezuela, how they fit into broader great-power competition, and what they suggest about future U.S. posture closer to home. The conversation then shifts to defense acquisition reform. The guys unpack how changes inside the Army and DoD could reshape requirements, funding authority, and timelines, and what that means for companies trying to sell real capabilities instead of slide decks. They also touch on the state of the defense market, recent capital flows, and how policy, operations, and acquisition are increasingly colliding in ways that will define the next few years for the defense ecosystem. 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

This Episode: Garrett and Simon break down a busy week across defense, geopolitics, and venture capital. They cover the continued surge of mega-rounds in defense tech, why the market feels unusually frothy heading into 2026, and what these investment patterns signal for startups, primes, and buyers. On the geopolitical front, they discuss the recent U.S. strikes against Venezuelan cartel targets and what it may indicate about future policy posture in the Western Hemisphere. They also touch on shifting dynamics in Europe and how great-power competition continues to shape U.S. defense priorities. The episode wraps with a look at how government behavior, market cycles, and emerging threats are all converging to create one of the most complex operating environments the defense sector has seen in years. 00:00- Christmas Banter, Rip Its, and Holiday Chaos 03:00- The Battle Lab & Why Real-World Testing Matters 06:00- Venezuela Strikes,  A Warning Shot or Something Bigger? 12:30- China, Taiwan, and What “Deterrence” Really Means 18:30- Frothy Venture Markets & 2025’s Mega-Rounds 25:30- Can Defense Startups Scale? Primes vs. New Primes 32:00- SBIR Reauthorization Delays & What It Means for Startups 37:00- NDAA, Full-Year CR Risks & Closing Thoughts 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

This Episode: The Goat Rodeo crew is joined by Garrett Asta from Houlihan Lokey. The guys break down Steve Witkoff’s Ukraine peace plan, why Simon still sees no path to near-term peace, and a surprising cultural moment involving Limp Bizkit and Estonia. Then it’s onto the big stuff: major venture raises, billion-dollar outfits gearing up for IPOs, and what an incoming M&A wave could mean for valuations across the sector. And yes, they get into Anduril’s rough week, the limits of “fail forward,” and why unfinished prototypes can become real risks for warfighters. Chapters: 00:00–03:00 Chit chat and light banter 03:00–06:00 Introducing guest Garrett Asta 06:00–10:00 Ukraine “peace plan” reactions 10:00–13:00 Limp Bizkit cancelled in Estonia 13:00–17:00 Why Simon sees no peace coming soon 17:00–22:00 Big venture deals and billion-dollar raises 22:00–27:00 Defense market trends and M&A wave expectations 27:00–31:00 IPO prep and valuation concerns 31:00–35:00 Programs of record vs capabilities of record 35:00–38:00 Breaking news about two National Guardsmen 38:00–43:00 Selling prototypes, IRAD spending, DoD barriers 43:00–47:00 TRL, IRL, MRL and investor misconceptions 47:00–51:00 The risks of scaling defense manufacturing 51:00–55:00 Anduril hype cycles and product failure discussion 55:00–58:00 CCA, Fury test failure, and DoD risk tolerance 58:00–1:00:44 Thanksgiving food talk and closing thoughts 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

This Episode: The Goat Rodeo crew covers a packed week: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the White House, renewed momentum in U.S.-Saudi defense cooperation, and what expanding foreign military sales means for the defense industrial base. Dave walks through the Army’s major requirements and acquisitions restructure, where six general officers will control key capability portfolios. The team debates whether this centralization will accelerate modernization or smother risk-taking. They also hit big moves in autonomy and aerospace: CCA progress, heavy-lift eVTOL developments, and URSA Major’s $100M Series E. Plus, what DroneShield’s leadership cash-out signals to DoD buyers, and whether it adds new risk to small-company contracting. The shutdown is over, but appropriations remain a mess, and the crew breaks down what defense companies should expect in the coming months. Also: doomsday prepping, Bosnia collapse lessons, and why everyone should try to stay on AI’s good side. Chapters: 00:00–02:40 AI fear, sci-fi references, and doomsday prep 02:40–04:12 Bosnia and Kosovo collapse lessons 04:12–08:58 Rip It lore, flavors, and chaos 08:58–10:04 Episode intro 10:04–14:18 Saudi visit, F-35s, tanks, and defense alignment 14:18–18:07 CCA, autonomy progress, and unmanned systems 18:07–20:49 U.S.–Saudi strategic implications 20:49–24:45 Autonomy milestones, Airbus eVTOL, Ursa Major raise 24:45–28:06 Joby vs Archer lawsuit and critical tech 28:06–30:49 DroneShield concerns and DoD buyer risk 30:49–36:29 Army acquisition reform and centralization debate 36:29–41:08 Accountability, risk tolerance, and new structures 41:08–45:03 FUZE program, budgeting, and capability overlaps 45:03–47:00 PPBE alignment and congressional issues 47:00–54:45 Shutdown ending, appropriations uncertainty 54:45–58:23 CR mechanics, constraints, and executive flex 58:23–01:01:16 Pentagon dynamics, Hegseth sidelined 01:01:16–End Ukraine diplomacy aside and wrap-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: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mTJ1oJEgB3rCbQouCL7XD?si=9b2647b843144469 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/goat-rodeo/id1801310605 YouTube: youtube.com/@GoatRodeoPodcast

This Episode: The Goat Rodeo crew is joined by Phil Divinski (CEO) and Jerad Watlington (COO), the duo behind Jeddoc, for a brutally honest look at FPV’s on the battlefield, bottom-up innovation, and why the acquisition system keeps tripping over itself. The guys kick things off debating MRE supremacy before diving into the real questions: Why can’t senior enlisted fly drones on major bases? Why are the best battlefield innovations still coming from end users who duct-tape gear together before industry scales it? Why is venture pouring dollars into drones without matching procurement volume? They also touch on Neros’ recent $75 million dollar fundraise and what it signals for the drone ecosystem. Phil and Jerad break down what actually matters for FPV effectiveness (hint: human maneuver is king), why requirements must start at the lowest levels, and how the current top-down system is slowing adaptation when speed matters most. Dave walks through the new acquisition reforms: shoppers, requirements writers, and bean counters under one roof, and of course, Simon questions whether any of it will actually fix the accountability problem. The episode wraps with a shutdown update, a nearly impossible moment where Simon was very wrong on his prediction, and what the reopening really means for defense companies, RDT&E spend, and SBIR reauthorization. Time stamps: 00:00 Banter 02:00 Introductions and Jeddoc background 8:00 Neros raise and FPV discussion 15:50 FPV training and synchronization 21:00 Bottom-up requirements 23:30 Speed, testing cycles, DOGE approach 28:14 Acquisition blame game 39:06 SOCOM and acquisition reform 43:50 Shutdown update 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

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

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

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

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

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

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