All Quiet on the Second Front

Latest Episodes:

88. Greg Touhill, Director of the SEI’s CERT Division at Carnegie Mellon University Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

Episode 88. On this episode of All Quiet, host Tyler Sweat chats with cybersecurity expert Greg Touhill, director of the CERT Division at Carnegie Mellon's Software Engineering Institute. With a rich background as the U.S. government's first Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and a seasoned executive in the U.S. Air Force and Department of Homeland Security, Greg discusses the trajectory of cybersecurity from its foundational days to its current critical role in national security and private sector strategy. Explore how AI and cybersecurity intersect and the essential steps today's leaders must take to safeguard our digital future.

What’s Happening on the Second Front:

Greg's journey from the U.S. Air Force to leading national cybersecurity initiatives.
The impact of AI on cybersecurity—what does the future hold?
Cybersecurity in the corporate world: How is it shaping business strategies at the highest levels?
Emerging challenges: What are the next big threats, and how are we preparing to tackle them?

Connect with Greg

LinkedIn: Gregory Touhill

Connect with Tyler

LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt

SEI resources discussed:

SEI website: https://www.sei.cmu.edu/
AI/AI Security: Artificial Intelligence Security Incident Response Team (AISIRT)
Risk and Resilience: Enterprise Risk and Resilience Management
SEI GitHub: Software Engineering Institute · GitHub

87. Troy Demmer, Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer at Gecko Robotics Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of All Quiet on the Second Front, host Tyler Sweatt chats with Troy Demmer of Gecko Robotics about transforming infrastructure with robotics, AI, and smarter data. They explore Gecko’s origins, its impact on defense and energy, and how better maintenance can drive national security and economic growth. From crawling robots to AI-powered insights, Troy shares how Gecko is tackling critical infrastructure challenges—and why the biggest threat isn’t new technology, but inertia.

What's Happening on the Second Front

Robots + AI = Smarter Infrastructure – How Gecko is transforming maintenance and inspection.
Data Overload? – Why most organizations collect too much but use too little.
Tech vs. Tradition – The real battle is overcoming industry inertia, not innovation.
AI’s Hidden Flaw – Great power, terrible results—unless the data is right.
The Future is Now – Edge computing, real-time insights, and maximizing what we already have.

Connect with Troy

LinkedIn: Troy Demmer

Connect with Tyler

LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt

86. Hon. Martha McSally, Former U.S. Senator & 2F Independent Board Director Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of All Quiet on the Second Front, host Tyler Sweatt sits down with Hon. Martha McSally—former A-10 fighter pilot, U.S. Senator, and now 2F Independent Board Director—to talk about resilience, reinvention, and leading with purpose.

Martha shares her journey from being one of the first women to fly a fighter jet in combat to navigating the world of politics and now advising leaders and companies. She discusses how to thrive through major career transitions, why identity isn’t tied to job titles, and how leaders can build trust, stay adaptable, and create high-performing teams.

What’s Happening on the Second Front

Martha’s path from fighter pilot to senator to board director.
Why trust, clear communication, and self-awareness are critical for leadership.
How to navigate career transitions and detach from external identity.
Practical leadership tools, from curiosity to balancing work intensity.
Why now is the best time to lean in, innovate, and lead.

Connect with Martha

LinkedIn: Martha McSally

Connect with Tyler

LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt

85. Scott Sanders, Chief Growth Officier of Forterra Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of All Quiet on the Second Front, host Tyler Sweatt sits down with Scott Sanders, Chief Growth Officer of Forterra, to talk about building elite teams, mission-driven leadership, and the realities of hiring in defense tech. Scott shares his journey from Marine Raider to early Anduril employee to leading a company that’s shaping the future of autonomous ground systems.

What’s Happening on the Second Front

Why so many veterans return to defense tech (even after swearing they wouldn’t)
The “deployment test” for hiring and how to spot high-impact operators
Balancing speed and quality in recruiting without breaking the culture
The importance of taking time away from work to stay sharp
Why military leaders struggle to let go—and how to fix it

Connect with Scott

LinkedIn: Scott Sanders

Connect with Tyler

LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt

84. Bernard Brantley, CISO at Corelight || Ex-Amazon, Microsoft Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Episode 84. In this episode of All Quiet, Bernard Brantley, CISO at Corelight, joins Tyler Sweatt to delve into the interplay between rapid technological development and robust security practices. With a rich background at giants like Amazon and Microsoft, where he was instrumental in architecting network security solutions for Xbox Live and other high-value assets, Bernard offers deep insights into how security can coexist with fast-paced innovation. Discover how Bernard’s approaches at Amazon serve as a model for balancing innovation with stringent security, applicable across the tech industry. The conversation also explores the critical role of AI in modern security measures, highlighting real-life success stories and providing practical advice derived from Bernard's extensive experience in the field.

What’s Happening on the Second Front

Techniques for embedding security from the start of development
How to balance security needs with engineering efforts so both can coexist and thrive
Bernard’s role in architecting network security solutions for Xbox Live and other Microsoft assets
Insights into how artificial intelligence is reshaping security practices, offering both solutions and new challenges

Connect with Bernard

LinkedIn: Bernard Brantley

Connect with Tyler

LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt

83. Ted Reynolds, Chief Revenue Officer at Decision Lens Jan 07, 2025

Show notes

Episode 83. In this episode of All Quiet on the Second Front, TJ sits down with Ted Reynolds, Chief Revenue Officer at Decision Lens, to discuss the challenges and opportunities of selling software to the federal government. Ted shares insights from his 25+ year career, exploring the unique demands of public sector sales, the shift from "coin-operated" to mission-driven sales teams, and how Decision Lens is helping agencies navigate complex planning and prioritization. Tune in for a conversation about scaling in defense tech, overcoming barriers to entry, and aligning technology with mission impact.

What's Happening on the Second Front

Why hiring mission-oriented salespeople is crucial for success.
How Decision Lens helps agencies prioritize resources effectively.
Lessons on moving from early contracts to sustainable growth.
Key differences between commercial and federal sales.

Connect with Ted

Ted Reynolds

Connect with TJ

TJ Rowe

82. Justin Fanelli, Acting Dept of Navy CTO Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

Dive into a high-octane discussion on defense tech innovation with Justin Fanelli, the Acting CTO of the U.S. Navy, on All Quiet on the Second Front. On this episode, host Tyler Sweatt and Justin dissect the transformative shifts happening within the Department of Navy through dynamic public-private partnerships. Discover how these collaborations are paving the way for more agile, efficient, and impactful defense technologies. From breaking bureaucratic barriers to redefining portfolio management, this episode is a masterclass in driving change within one of the world’s most formidable bureaucracies.

What's Happening on the Second Front

enhancing Navy agility and efficiency
streamlining tech development and deployment
embracing change for greater innovation and results
boosting military capabilities and economic benefits

Connect with Justin

LinkedIn: Justin Fanelli

Connect with Tyler

LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt

81. Jeff Fields, Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the FBI Dec 03, 2024

Show notes

We’re bringing in the Feds!

On this episode of All Quiet, Jeff Fields, Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the FBI, joins host Tyler Sweatt to navigate the complex interplay of public and private markets. They’ll unpack the tangled webs of security, innovation, and risk—revealing what it truly looks like when the Feds meet the founders. Jeff brings a refreshing perspective to the vital role of federal agencies in shaping and securing the future of technological advancement.

What’s Happening on the Second Front

The relationship between public markets and private innovation in the context of security and risk management
The evolving nature of global threats, including the strategic challenges posed by nation-states and non-state actors
Case Study with FBI and Google: Illustrating what cooperation between the FBI and victim companies looks like during significant legal actions, like the Google indictment
Celebrating U.S. cultural influence—from hip hop to Wu-Tang Clan and Nirvana, highlighting America's unique contributions to the global stage

Connect with Jeff

LinkedIn: Jeff Fields

Connect with Tyler

LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt

80. Powering Software for the Free World with Second Front Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

Episode 80. We’re going back to the beginning! In this episode of All Quiet on the Second Front, Tyler Sweatt is joined by Enrique Oti (CSO), TJ Rowe (CRO), and Sam Gray (VP of Strategic Engagements) to peel back the curtain. Last week, Second Front announced the launch of the 2F Product Suite so what better time to have a look back at all that’s happened since beginning.

What’s Happening on the Second Front

When product market fit isn’t enough
Putting your end-users first (shout out to our first customers who clicked the believe button with us)
Scaling together
Recruiting the 10x hire

Connect with the Team

Enrique Oti: LinkedIn
TJ Rowe: LinkedIn
Tyler Sweatt: LinkedIn
Sam Gray: LinkedIn

79. Don’t Forget What it’s Like to be in a Gunfight with John Goodson Nov 12, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of All Quiet, former combat tech turned CEO and Founder of Darkhive, John Goodson, joins Tyler Sweatt to delve into the critical interplay between real-world military operations and the forefront of defense technology. With insights gained on the frontlines and in the tech lab, John discusses the critical importance of creating technologies that truly support soldiers in combat scenarios - because no one wants to deal with a software update while under enemy fire. Reflecting on the intersection of robust tech and real-world military needs, this discussion explores the essential balance of innovation and practical application in the heat of battle.

What’s Happening on the Second Front