The Burn Bag Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Risky Business: When Business and National Security Collide with Bill Priestap and Holden Triplett, Founders of Trenchcoat Advisors Dec 14, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to Risky Business, a limited series in partnership with Trenchcoat Advisors, a risk advisory firm. In an unpredictable, complex, and chaotic world, the business risks are ever-present. To help navigate the challenges ahead, this series delves into the intersection of business and national security — from influence operations and sabotage to hostage diplomacy and investment security, we’re bringing exclusive conversations with leading experts to better understand and anticipate risk!

In this introductory episode, A’ndre and Ryan are joined by Trenchcoat Founders Bill Priestap and Holden Triplett to discuss their perspectives on the collision of business and national security and learn what’s in store for our Risky Business series.
Stay tuned for Episode One!

Live from RNDF22: Christine Wormuth, Secretary of the Army Dec 09, 2022

Show notes

On December 3rd, Burn Bag co-host Ryan Rosenthal comes to us from Simi Valley, CA, covering the 2022 edition of the Reagan National Defense Forum, one of the nation's largest gatherings of the defense community.
Secretary Wormuth talks to Ryan about what lessons the Army can take away from Russia's war in Ukraine, whether she is concerned about Congressional support for Ukraine, and her plan to address the Army's recruiting challenges.

Live from RNDF22: Alan Estevez, Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Dec 09, 2022

Show notes

On December 3rd, Burn Bag co-host Ryan Rosenthal comes to us from Simi Valley, CA, covering the 2022 edition of the Reagan National Defense Forum, one of the nation's largest gatherings of the defense community.
Under Secretary Extetvez talks to Ryan about the China semiconductor rules, effectiveness of exports controls, and how the U.S. is working with allies and partners.

Burning at Europe's Borders: Human Stories from Africa's Migrant Crisis with Dr. Isabella Alexander-Nathani Dec 07, 2022

Show notes

This week, A’ndre and Anna (one of our new co-hosts!) talk to writer, filmmaker, and activist Dr. Isabella Alexander-Nathani about the African Migration Crisis, discussing what she saw, heard, and experienced at Europe’s Southernmost border in Morocco and other parts of North Africa. Isabella profiles some of the young migrants at the Moroccan-Spanish border in her book, Burning at Europe’s Borders, and her upcoming documentary, The Burning, and discusses the difficulties and brutalities they endured in the face of stark and rarely reported human rights abuses at the hands of the authorities. Importantly, Isabella highlights the determination of several of these young migrants, outlining why they felt compelled to undertake this dangerous journey – viewing it as a necessity for their family’s survival. We also discuss the politicization of the terms ‘refugee’ and ‘migrant’, the EU’s ignorance in the face of flagrant human rights abuses, Isabella’s views on her own identity’s role in her own anthropological storytelling, and broad implications for U.S. border issues.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are those of the hosts. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of any host’s employer.

Live from RNDF22: Joe Laurienti, Founder and CEO of Ursa Major Dec 04, 2022

Show notes

This week, Burn Bag co-host Ryan Rosenthal comes to us from Simi Valley, CA, covering the 2022 edition of the Reagan National Defense Forum, one of the nation's largest gatherings of the defense community.
Joe Laurienti, Founder and CEO of Ursa Major, talks to Ryan about the history of commercial propulsion, how Ursa Major fills a gap for hypersonic engines, and provides his perspective on industry's importance in U.S.-China competition for hypersonic supremacy.
Stay tuned for more from the 2022 Reagan National Defense Forum!

Live from RNDF22: Doug Philippone, Palantir Global Defense Lead Dec 04, 2022

Show notes

This week, Burn Bag co-host Ryan Rosenthal comes to us from Simi Valley, CA, covering the 2022 edition of the Reagan National Defense Forum, one of the nation's largest gatherings of the defense community.
Doug Philippone, Global Defense Lead of Palantir Technologies, talks Palantir's mission, the utility of 'big data' through the case of Army Vantage, and potential areas for data-driven solutions in the near future.
Stay tuned for more from the 2022 Reagan National Defense Forum!

Live from RNDF22: Rep. Adam Smith, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Dec 04, 2022

Show notes

This week, Burn Bag co-host Ryan Rosenthal comes to us from Simi Valley, CA, covering the 2022 edition of the Reagan National Defense Forum, one of the nation's largest gatherings of the defense community.

In this mini-episode, Rep. Adam Smith, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, talks to Ryan about the United States' role in the world, the importance of supporting Ukraine, and why demonstrating the strength of US democracy combats autocracy.
Stay tuned for more from the 2022 Reagan National Defense Forum!

Live from RNDF22: Trae Stephens, Co-Founder of Anduril Industries Dec 03, 2022

Show notes

This week, Burn Bag co-host Ryan Rosenthal comes to us from Simi Valley, CA, covering the 2022 edition of the Reagan National Defense Forum, one of the nation's largest gatherings of the defense community.

In this mini-episode, Trae Stephens, Co-Founder of Anduril Industries, talks to Ryan about venture-backed defense innovation, startups in defense technology, and Anduril's recently announced SeriesE funding round.
Stay tuned for more from the 2022 Reagan National Defense Forum!

Best of: General Stanley McChrystal Applies the Risk Guidebook to Afghanistan Nov 30, 2022

Show notes

In this "Best of" episode from November 2021, A'ndre and Ryan speak to retired Four Star General Stanley McChrystal about his new book Risk: A User's Guide, applying the principles of risk management to the War in Afghanistan -- a situation the General is very familiar with. We ask General McChrystal to discuss what he defines as the 'Risk Immune System', and to explain the 'Risk Control Factors' that he outlines in the book. General McChrystal, famed for creating a comprehensive counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan, applies those Risk Control Factors to the situation in Afghanistan, talking about how factors such as narrative, bias, leadership, why we shouldn't fall for the 'Myth of Helplessness' in assessing our performance and failures in Afghanistan. General McChrystal also touches on the issue of diversity -- not necessarily simply diversity in identity, but rather diversity of thought, experience, perspectives, skillsets, and expertise -- and why the U.S. Government and U.S. military were not using diversity on the battlefield. The retired General is also candid about his own successes and failures during his service in Afghanistan, while also offering thoughts on solutions for better risk management -- and whether it was ever too late to apply these solutions to Afghanistan.
You can check out General McChrystal's new book Risk: A User's Guide here.

What in the World?: Israel Moves Right, Iran's Soccer Team Supports Protesters, and TikTok is on the Chopping Block (11/26/22) Nov 26, 2022

Show notes

In this week's episode, the team talks about Israel's new right-wing government led by Benjamin Netanyahu, the Iranian Soccer Team's protest at the World Cup, and the prospects and implications of a U.S. ban on TikTok. We also cover the tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and *high*-light a recent Zoom mishap involving a Colombian judge.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this episode are those of the hosts. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of any host’s employer.

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