The Decoded Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Will Trump’s tariffs ‘liberate’ Silicon Valley? Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

“Liberation Day” arrived at the White House and President Donald Trump, as promised, slapped sweeping tariffs on the world. But what comes next may be less predictable — especially for tech. From the TikTok sale to digital services taxes, tech issues are now a bargaining chip as countries negotiate with the Trump administration to ease tariffs. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly chats with Michael Froman, the president of the Council on Foreign Relations and former U.S. trade representative, about what Liberation Day could mean for Silicon Valley.

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The great tech race heading toward Greenland Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

Greenland’s “Great Race” isn’t just a dog sled competition. It’s increasingly a hunt for critical minerals and AI data centers — two national security priorities for President Donald Trump and a business opportunity being pursued by some in his orbit. On POLITICO Tech, E&E News reporter Hannah Northey joins host Steven Overly in the wake of Vice President JD Vance’s controversial visit to explain why Greenland could help address major tech challenges facing the U.S.

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Why you shouldn’t share ‘war plans’ on Signal Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

Were the messages “war plans” or “attack plans”? Was the information classified, sensitive or something in between? If you put aside the spin around Signalgate, security experts warn secret military operations shouldn’t be shared on commercial messaging apps like Signal in the first place. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly discusses the tech implications of this week’s White House fiasco with Graham Brookie, the Atlantic Council’s vice president of technology programs and a former National Security Council adviser.

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‘Nothing is off the table’: The U.S.-UK tech talks are underway Mar 24, 2025

Show notes

President Donald Trump has many U.S. allies on edge, but you wouldn’t know it from talking to Peter Kyle, the UK’s secretary of state for science, innovation and technology. He’s a relentless believer that the UK and U.S. will join forces on artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies. But his rosy vision faces real obstacles, like the Trump administration’s criticism of the UK’s digital taxes, and its free speech record. Plus, Elon Musk's very vocal disdain for Prime Minister Keir Starmer. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly called up Secretary Kyle at the end of his recent West Coast visit to discuss.

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‘American Dynamism’ meets ‘America First’ Mar 20, 2025

Show notes

Silicon Valley’s bet that a Trump administration would be friendly to tech has a big payoff: Vice President JD Vance. At the American Dynamism Summit this week, Vance spoke at length about bolstering U.S. innovation and manufacturing, and bridging the divide between so-called “populists” and “techno-optimists.” The summit was hosted by venture capital firm Andreesen Horowitz, which became the tech-for-Trump poster child during the election. On POLITICO Tech, host Steven Overly sits down with Katherine Boyle, the co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz’s American Dynamism practice.

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How a tech CEO and board game master sizes up DOGE Mar 17, 2025

Show notes

This Elon Musk-made moment of government upheaval has some business executives seeing dollar signs, and that includes Matt Calkins, the CEO of software company Appian. Calkins contends there are billions of dollars to be saved in how the government buys stuff, but reforming that process requires “the most powerful digital worker ever invented” — artificial intelligence. On POLITICO Tech, Calkins tells host Steven Overly how he thinks AI can tackle the government’s waste problem, and why Musk and Washington must find a way to get along.

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‘We’re not like some small country you can push around’ Mar 13, 2025

Show notes

François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s minister of innovation, science and industry, says America’s northern neighbor is “not like some small country that you can push around.” That’s why Champagne is in Washington today with other Canadian officials seeking an economic reset after a week of tariff-fueled tensions with the U.S. On POLITICO Tech, Champagne joins host Steven Overly to discuss President Donald Trump’s trade war and the potential impact of Canada’s new prime minister.

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This Bachelor-turned-podcaster has a lesson for Washington Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

Nick Viall became famous after appearing on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette — but used podcasting to turn reality TV stardom into lasting relevance. So last week, YouTube brought The Viall Files host to Washington to teach political staffers how to tap online creators to spread their message. Coming off of last year’s “podcast election,” Viall says the medium has gained new levels of media credibility and that candidates need to win over listeners like his in order to win votes. On POLITICO Tech, Viall joins host Steven Overly to discuss podcasting’s breakout moment and why not every politician is cut out for it.

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Trump’s tariffs are threatening California’s cash cow Mar 07, 2025

Show notes

This week, President Donald Trump put tariffs in place — again. He then walked most of them back — again. The administration’s erratic trade policy is also causing a great deal of anxiety in California, where the state budget depends on ample tax revenue from the tech industry. On POLITICO Tech, California tech reporter Chase DiFeliciantonio joins host Steven Overly to explain why lawmakers and economists from Sacramento to Silicon Valley are so nervous.

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The future of war? Cheaper, faster tech Mar 06, 2025

Show notes

Three Army brigades have been trying to prove that the future of war can be cheaper — even before Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency came in demanding budget cuts. The brigades are part of a program that outfits soldiers with off-the-shelf tech that doesn’t take years to build or cost billions of dollars to buy. On POLITICO Tech, Gen. Randy George, the Army’s chief of staff, discusses plans to expand the effort and hurdles to overcome.

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