Best Bonnie Evangelista | Tradewinds × CDAO Podcasts (2025)

1
Decoding Agile Acquisition Frameworks with Jonathan Mostowski (Replay) 38:24

2M ago38:24

38:24

Are rules the biggest barrier to government procurement? In this replay episode, Jonathan Mostowski, a trailblazer in government procurement and co-author of the TechFAR Handbook, unpacks the truth about “hacking” bureaucracy in government contracting and how agile acquisition, strategic contracting, and responsible risk-taking can transform procur…

1
Navigating Leadership & Contracting Success with Maj. Gen. Alice Treviño (Replay) 36:26

2M ago36:26

36:26

What if the biggest barrier to innovation in government contracting isn’t bureaucracy–but mindset? In this replay episode, Ryan Connell sits down with Major General Alice Treviño, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Contracting, to discuss how the Air Force is rethinking procurement with digital tools, leadership strategies, and streamlined processes. W…

1
How JRAC Delivers Urgent Innovation to Protect Warfighters in the Field with Major General Edward Vaughan 35:22

2M ago35:22

35:22

Military procurement is known for its slow, bureaucratic processes, but what if it didn’t have to be? In this week’s episode, Ryan Connell sits down with Major General Edward Vaughan to talk about how the Joint Rapid Acquisition Cell (JRAC) redefines how warfighters get the tools they need—fast. With over 40 years of military experience, Major Gene…

1
Can AI Be Trusted to Evaluate Government Proposals? 12:07

3M ago12:07

12:07

Would you trust AI to review your proposals? AI is now streamlining processes, improving efficiency, and reducing bureaucratic roadblocks. Yet, while 80% of industry professionals use AI to draft proposals, almost none are comfortable with AI evaluating them. In this week’s episode of Defense Mavericks, host Ryan Connell lets ChatGPT take the inter…

1
Why Unclassified Data is the Secret to National Security Success with Sammy Semwangu 31:47

3M ago31:47

31:47

Approximately 99.5% of available data is unclassified. Yet, intelligence agencies often focus on the 0.5% that is classified. How can the U.S. government bridge this intelligence gap? In this week’s episode, Ryan Connell speaks with Sammy Semwangu, CEO of Bazze, about how his startup is transforming intelligence with commercial data solutions. With…

1
From Chaos to Control: Military Logistics’ New Cutting-Edge Solution with Mark Hammonds & Ryan Perez 31:16

3M ago31:16

31:16

Ever wonder why critical military resources get lost in the“fog of war”? In this week’s episode of Defense Mavericks, Ryan Connell sits down with Beowulf’s founders, Mark Hammonds and Ryan Perez, to discuss how Bulldog—a logistic and planning tool—was developed to streamline military logistics. Drawing from their firsthand experiences in Ukraine, t…

1
MIT’s Breakthrough Formula for Startup Success with Gene Keselman 38:14

3M ago38:14

38:14

Balancing defense and commercial markets can be daunting, but today’s guest shares how the dual-use readiness model makes it easier for startups to thrive in both worlds. In this week’s episode, Ryan Connell speaks with Gene Keselman, Director of Mission Innovation Experimentation at MIT. Gene shares how creating a shared language between startups …

1
Exposing DoD’s Billion-Dollar Procurement Problem with Warren Katz 39:11

3M ago39:11

39:11

What if the DoD could be as agile as a tech startup? In this week’s episode of Defense Mavericks, Ryan Connell chats with Warren Katz, chairman of the Alliance for Commercial Technology in Government, to explore the challenges and inefficiencies in the DoD’s acquisition processes. They discuss promising reforms, including the Restoring Freedom’s Fo…

1
Adoption vs. Invention: The Truth About DoD’s Innovation Challenge with Josh Marcuse 45:38

4M ago45:38

45:38

The real challenge for the Department of Defense (DoD) isn’t coming up with innovations. The DoD has a long history of celebrated innovators and has invested billions of dollars in research and development. So, what’s holding back these innovations? In this episode of Defense Mavericks, Ryan Connell speaks with Josh Marcuse, former Defense Innovati…

1
From Warfighter to Technologist: The Shocking Skill Soldiers Are Mastering with Cathleen Rush 32:49

4M ago32:49

32:49

Have you ever wondered how AI and robotics are transforming the military? This week, Ryan Connell speaks with Cathleen Rush, Deputy of the Office of ARSOF Autonomy–a newly formed office within the U.S. Army Special Operations Forces–about the intersection of technology and military operations. Cathleen shares her journey from active-duty engineer t…

1
The Hard Truth About Startups in Defense Technology with Matthew Steckman 35:01

4M ago35:01

35:01

What does it take to build a thriving startup in defense technology? In the world of startups, chaos is constant. But in the defense sector? It’s chaos with billion-dollar stakes. In this week’s episode of Defense Mavericks, Matthew Steckman, Chief Revenue Officer at Anduril Industries, reveals how defense startups like theirs survive and thrive. F…

1
How AI is Helping Tradewinds Revolutionize Defense Acquisitions 1:20:12

5M ago1:20:12

1:20:12

Are rigid acquisition processes slowing down your innovative solutions? Tradewinds is here to change that. This week on Defense Mavericks, I’m joined by Stephanie Wilson, Kristina Botelho, and Tony Kwag at this year’s NCMA Conference to explore how Tradewinds is revolutionizing AI and digital solution procurement for government agencies. With flexi…

1
The Untold Role of Networking in National Security and Innovation 41:56

5M ago41:56

41:56

Did you know the right network could be the DoD’s most powerful tool? In this week’s episode of Defense Mavericks, we’re joined by Jesse Levin, Executive Director of the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum (DEF); Jay Long, COO and Founder of Parlay; and Brad Halsey, CEO of Building Momentum. These innovators dive into the importance of leveraging networks–…

1
How 3D Printing is Shaping the Future of Military Logistics with Matt Pine 22:35

5M ago22:35

22:35

Imagine a Marine stranded on an island, needing a critical part to continue their mission. What if that essential part could be produced on the spot? In this week’s episode of Defense Mavericks, we sit down with Matt Pine, Innovation Officer for the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune, to explore how additive manufacturing (AM) is revolutionizing mil…

1
Can Blockchain and AI End the Misinformation Crisis? With Nathan Manzotti 36:04

6M ago36:04

36:04

With deepfakes and misinformation on the rise, distinguishing truth from lies has never been more challenging. A recent Harvard paper stated how generative AI, like ChatGPT, is increasingly showing up in academic journals, archives, and repositories. So, how can we fight back against this growing misinformation crisis? This week, Ryan Connell sits …

1
Why Smart GovCon Bidders Are Turning to AI with Alex Cohen 37:09

6M ago37:09

37:09

Can AI help you bid on more government contracts? In this week’s episode, Ryan Connell sits down with Alex Cohen, an AI expert and founder of GovPro AI. Alex is on a mission to help small and medium-sized contractors streamline their proposal process. He walks us through how AI tools are transforming how proposals are submitted–making them faster a…

1
How Blockchain is Revolutionizing Manufacturing at AFRL with Keith Scheffler 29:26

6M ago29:26

29:26

This week, Ryan Connell is joined by Keith Scheffler from Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to discuss the role that blockchain plays in their manufacturing division. Keith dives into the evolution and broader applications of blockchain technology beyond cryptocurrency, AFRL's approach to addressing technology gaps, the integration of digital to…

1
Mastering SharePoint & Self-Branding with “Mr. SharePoint” Therman Trotman 30:17

6M ago30:17

30:17

This week, Ryan Connell sits down with Therman Trotman, a.k.a. "Mr. SharePoint," to talk about the powerful ways SharePoint can transform workflows and enhance team efficiency. Therman shares his journey from the Bronx to becoming an expert in SharePoint, diving into his unique take on branding, confidence, and overcoming imposter syndrome. He brea…

1
Human-Centric Autonomy for Defense with Scott Sanders 30:52

6M ago30:52

30:52

This week, Ryan Connell sits down with Scott Sanders, Chief Growth Officer of Forterra, to talk about the advancements and challenges of integrating autonomous systems in defense and industrial sectors. Scott shares his insights on the deployment of full stack and ground autonomy, balancing human and machine roles, and accounting for the diverse te…

1
Data Management & AI Readiness in Intelligence with Lori Wade 31:02

7M ago31:02

31:02

This week, Ryan Connell sits down with Lori Wade, Chief Data Officer for the Intelligence Community, to talk about the pivotal role of quality data in driving AI and emerging technologies in the IC. Lori shares her insights on data interoperability, public-private collaboration, and the complexities of managing data across the 18 Intelligence Commu…

1
Building Cybersecurity Ecosystems in the DoD with Chris Hughes 29:34

7M ago29:34

29:34

This week, Ryan Connell sits down with cybersecurity expert Chris Hughes, CEO of Aquia, a veteran-owned cloud and cybersecurity digital services firm. Chris brings two decades of experience from the federal IT space, sharing insights on everything from AI adoption in the government to the importance of continuous ATO. Chris dives into the challenge…

1
Navigating Leadership & Contracting Success with Maj. Gen. Alice Treviño 33:38

7M ago33:38

33:38

This week, Ryan Connell sits down with Maj. Gen. Alice Treviño, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Contracting in the Department of the Air Force, as she shares insights from her 32-year career. They explore the challenges of contracting, her leadership philosophy, and the evolution of AI tools within the Air Force. Major General Treviño emphasizes the…

1
AI Takes the Mic: Ryan Experiments with Google’s NotebookLM 10:54

7M ago10:54

10:54

This week, Ryan Connell experiments with Google’s cutting-edge AI tool, NotebookLM. Ryan challenges the AI to generate a podcast episode based on the Tradewinds Solution Marketplace Customer Handbook, which dives into the DoD’s efforts to streamline the acquisition of advanced technologies. Listen as AI characters Andy and Ethel discuss the handboo…

1
How to Balance Execution and Innovation with Steve Blank 37:40

8M ago37:40

37:40

This week, Ryan Connell sits down with the legendary Steve Blank, adjunct professor at Stanford and co-founder of the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, to discuss the need for disruptive innovation and execution in the DoD. Steve shares his insights on the importance of adopting new methodologies, creating a culture that support…

1
Revolutionizing Risk Assessment in Defense with Alex Martin 40:06

8M ago40:06

40:06

This week, Ryan Connell sits down with Alex Martin, the CEO and co-founder of Clearspeed, to discuss how they are using AI-enabled voice analytics to revolutionize risk assessment in defense. Alex shares his personal journey from the Marine Corps to tech entrepreneur and how he’s aiming to solve the age-old problem of vetting individuals efficientl…

1
Decoding Agile Acquisition Frameworks with Jonathan Mostowski 35:25

8M ago35:25

35:25

This week, Ryan Connell chats with Jonathan Mostowski, author, public speaker, and president of Agile Acquisitions LLC, about the truth behind “hacking” bureaucracy in government contracting, the development and impact of agile acquisition frameworks, and his career journey from a contracting officer to an innovative leader in the field. Jonathan s…

1
The Role of AI in 5G Technology with Dr. Tom Rondeau 31:59

8M ago31:59

31:59

This week, Ryan Connell sits down with Dr. Tom Rondeau, Principal Director of FutureG, to discuss the complexities and innovations behind wireless communications, from the defense applications of 5G to the groundbreaking potential of 6G. Tom shares his insights on the role of AI in wireless technology, the importance and challenges of interoperabil…

1
Mission Acceleration and Ingenuity in Defense with Pete Newell 39:13

9M ago39:13

39:13

This week, Ryan Connell discusses entrepreneurial approaches to problem-solving in defense with Pete Newell, 32-year Army veteran turned entrepreneur, educator, investor, and co-founder and CEO of BMNT. Pete dives into the inception and impact of the Hacking for Defense program and shares his insights on the importance of rapid adaptation and how i…

1
Rapid Acquisitions and Agile Budgeting with John Janek 31:45

9M ago31:45

31:45

This week, Ryan Connell is joined by John Janek, Chief Technologist at Dev Technology Group, to talk about the critical elements of rapid acquisitions and agile budgeting in government. John shares his insights on the evolving role of technology in hiring and organizational improvements, the importance of community, the need for cross-functional co…

1
Disrupting Norms & Breaking Rules in Federal Acquisition with Steve Barva 28:49

9M ago28:49

28:49

This week, Ryan Connell sits down with Steve Barva, federal acquisition consultant, to discuss the importance of breaking rules and cutting through red tape in the DoD. Steve shares his insights on competition in contracting, innovative solicitation practices, and the value of listening to fresh ideas from junior team members. He dives into numerou…

1
Strategies for Crossing the Valley of Death with Russ Long 30:53

9M ago30:53

30:53

This week, Ryan Connell is joined by Russ Long, founder and CEO of Long Capture, to talk about the different pathways to success a defense startup can take in the DoD. Russ shares his journey from his former Air Force contracting days to now helping tech startups bridge the gap to military adoption (a.k.a. surviving the Valley of Death.) They dive …

1
Developing Innovation Skills with Project Mercury’s Dr. W. Ethan Eagle & Julie Janson 45:21

10M ago45:21

45:21

This week, Ryan Connell is joined by Dr. W. Ethan Eagle and Lieutenant Colonel Julie “Pistol” Janson to discuss the transformative impact of Project Mercury on military innovation. Together, they dive into Project Mercury’s goal of building a culture of innovation, the strategic focus on problem-solving, and the importance of learning by doing. Eth…

1
Creating Agile Talent Ecosystems for DoD with Mike McGinley 36:02

10M ago36:02

36:02

This week, Ryan is joined by Mike McGinley, director of GigEagle, mobilization assistant to the commander of the Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, and federal account executive at Google, to talk all things talent in the DoD. Mike shares his insights on the flexibility of reservists' service, the operational impact of overcoming bureaucracy an…

1
Overcoming Bureaucracy Burnout with Hannah Hunt 31:13

10M ago31:13

31:13

This week, Ryan is joined by Hannah Hunt, Distinguished Technical Director at MetroStar, to talk about the challenges of navigating defense bureaucracy and how she’s overcome the inevitable burnout of government work. Hannah dives into lesson learned from Kessel Run and Army Software Factory and the leap of faith she took into the industry world wi…

1
Reframing Risk & Innovation in Defense with Larsen Jensen 32:58

10M ago32:58

32:58

This week, Ryan is joined by Larsen Jensen, two-time Olympian, former Navy SEAL, and founder of Harpoon Ventures, to explore the rapidly-changing landscape of defense tech investing. Larsen dives into the necessity of reframing risk, the resurgence of American entrepreneurship, and the key to succeeding as a defense startup. Tune in for a thought-p…

1
The Role of AI in Modern DoD Contracting with Mike Clark 37:18

10M ago37:18

37:18

This week, Ryan is joined by Mike Clark, Branch Chief at Kill Chain Integration Branch of the Air Force Special Programs Division, to discuss the nuanced world of contracting and artificial intelligence within the DoD. He shares his insights on fostering relationships, maintaining integrity in acquisition, and the critical thinking required to navi…

1
Meet Our New Host! 10:43

11M ago10:43

10:43

We have a special announcement this week! Meet our new Defense Mavericks host, Ryan Connell. Bonnie and Ryan chat about Bonnie’s departure from the show and what you can expect going forward. Tune in for a short, fun listen in this official hand-off episode! TIMESTAMPS: (0:30) Why Bonnie is leaving (1:12) Ryan's vision for the podcast (2:42) Who is…

1
SchoolHouse Panel: Overcoming Defense Barriers to Accelerate Innovation 51:20

11M ago51:20

51:20

This week, we’re sharing a panel discussion from SchoolHouse where Bonnie joined Gene Ebersole from BVVC, Mike McGuire from SpaceX, and Lisa Sanders from Special Operations Command to talk about defense innovation. Together, they dive into the challenges of transitioning defense projects, overcoming bureaucratic and cultural barriers within the DoD…

1
AI Spotlight: Use Cases in the Department of Defense 31:57

11M ago31:57

31:57

This week, Bonnie joins the GovExec’s AI Spotlight Series hosted by George Jackson for a roundtable discussion on the DoD’s role in AI with Tyler Sweatt from Second Front Systems, Jason Preisser from DARPA, and Alexis Bonnell from AFRL. Together, they explore the transformative potential of AI, focusing on AI adoption, process innovation, and the c…

1
The Hard Truths Behind Innovation in the DoD with Brian Morrison 34:05

11M ago34:05

34:05

This week, Bonnie sits down with Brian Morrison, retired Chief Master Sergeant of the United States Air Force Reserve, for a candid conversation on innovation in the DoD. Brian dives into his unique (and some might say “weird”) journey from active duty to innovation leader and the keys behind translating ideas into operational success on the battle…

1
How to Speed Up Tech Transition Pathways with Casey Perley 31:40

12M ago31:40

31:40

This week, Bonnie sits down with Casey Perley, Director of Army Applications Lab, to talk about how to accelerate tech transfer and innovation within the military. Casey shares her insights on the challenges and opportunities in transitioning commercial technologies to benefit our soldiers. From the importance of collaboration and cross-functional …

1
Finding Success in Defense as a Dual-Use Startup with Emma Bates 39:16

12M ago39:16

39:16

This week, Bonnie sits down with Emma Bates, founder of PaaS tool Cachai and a veteran DoD strategy thinker, live from South by Southwest 2024. Emma shares her journey from a DIU fellow to founding Cachai, driven by her mission to tackle complex coordination challenges in computer systems for national defense. They dive into the significance of hum…

1
The Future of Defense Acquisition with Will Roper 38:25

12M ago38:25

38:25

This week, Bonnie is joined by Will Roper, CEO of Istari and former Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, to talk about the future of military technology and innovation. Will shares his journey from theoretical physicist to defense acquisition leader and what it took to drive innovation along the way. He d…

1
Enabling Collaboration in the Defense Sector with Brennan Townley 32:51

1y ago32:51

32:51

This week, Bonnie is joined by Brennan Townley, CEO of Collaboration.AI to dive into the world of government contracting, innovative teamwork, and the impact of technology in defense collaboration. Brennan shares his unexpected journey into the DoD, highlighting the nuances of navigating government contracts and the power of connecting the right pe…

1
Optimizing Human Performance in Combat with Allison Brager 33:27

1y ago33:27

33:27

This week, Bonnie is joined by Allison Brager, U.S. Army neurobiologist, sleep expert, CrossFit athlete, aspiring astronaut, and Deputy Chief Science Officer for the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center to talk about how to optimize human performance in combat. Allison dives into the importance of leveraging science and technology to push human l…

1
The Power of Continuous Software Delivery in Defense with Bryon Kroger 37:03

1y ago37:03

37:03

This week, Bonnie is joined by Bryon Kroger, founder and CEO of Rise8, about the pivotal role of software in government and military operations. Bryon shares his insights on the challenges of bridging the gap between acquisitions and operations, the importance of continuous software delivery, and the ethos of fostering a culture of outcomes over ou…

1
Task Force Lima's Mission and Challenges with Captain Manuel Xavier Lugo 31:43

1y ago31:43

31:43

This week, Bonnie is joined by fellow CDAO leader Captain Manuel Xavier Lugo, Head of AI Initiatives and Capability Delivery and Task Force Lima Commander at OSD CDAO, to discuss the Task Force Lima mission, its challenges, and their 18-month race to AI mastery. Captain Lugo dives into the reality of AI integration, the pursuit of technological mat…

1
Bridging the Gap Between Policy and Delivery with Jennifer Pahlka 34:02

1y ago34:02

34:02

This week, Bonnie is joined by special guest Jennifer Pahlka, author of "Recoding America: Why Government is Failing in the Digital Age and How We Can Do Better”, to talk through some of the most pressing issues facing public servants today. Jennifer dives into the need to shift from project management to product management, the power of human-cent…

1
Integrating Technology & Innovation at U.S. Central Command with Schuyler Moore 28:17

1y ago28:17

28:17

This week, Bonnie sits down with Schuyler Moore, Chief Technology Officer for U.S. Central Command, to discuss the process of integrating technology into critical military operations and her experience pioneering the role of CTO at CENTCOM. Schuyler shares her insights on the importance of fostering a culture of innovation from the top down, the cr…

1
Fostering Transformative Thinking in Defense with Lt. Gen. Michael Groen (Ret.) 29:58

1y ago29:58

29:58

This week, Bonnie is joined by Lieutenant General Michael Groen (Ret.), former director of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, to talk about the importance of transformative thinking in the DoD. General Groen shares his insights on transforming military capabilities with AI, the significance of a communal drive for change, and the need for an…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Bonnie Evangelista | Tradewinds × CDAO Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen