The Hill & Valley Forum Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Senator Todd Young, Ohalo CEO David Friedberg, and Shaun Maguire | Made in America Again: A New Era of Industrial Strength May 03, 2025

Show notes

In this "Made in America" panel at the Hill and Valley Forum, experts including Senator Todd Young, David Friedberg, and Shaun Maguire discuss the urgent need to rebuild America's industrial capacity, highlighting the critical energy gap with China, the need for education reform focused on vocational training, and the importance of strategic reshoring combined with automation to compete globally.

Follow on X:

@SenToddYoung (Senator Todd Young)

@friedberg (David Friedberg)

@shaunmmaguire (Shaun Maguire)

@cgarrett_15 (Christian Garrett)

Subscribe to The Hill & Valley Forum Podcast:⁠

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HillValleyForum⁩⁠

Apple:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hill-valley-forum-podcast/id1692653857⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/39s4MCyt1pOTQ8FjOAS4mi

Timestamps:

(0:00) Preview

(1:10) Introduction to the panel on industrial strength and manufacturing challenges

(2:00) Shaun Maguire on creating market leaders in emerging industries to rebuild supply chains

(4:45) Senator Young on government's role in reshoring critical technology manufacturing

(7:53) David Friedberg on addressing energy and education as fundamental baseline issues

(12:32) Senator Young on improving higher education financing and transportation infrastructure

(15:31) Discussion on America's need to embrace higher risk tolerance for innovation

(17:46) Shaun on combating bureaucracy that hampers American progress

(18:00) Conversation on automation's role in bringing back manufacturing capacity

(20:20) Panel discussion on onshoring versus friend-shoring with allies

(25:14) Final thoughts

Congressman Ritchie Torres, James Litinsky, and Raef Sully | Strategic Independence: Reclaiming America's Energy and Mineral Supply Chains May 03, 2025

Show notes

In this Hill and Valley Forum panel on critical minerals, Congressman Ritchie Torres, MP Materials CEO James Litinsky, Lilac Solutions CEO Raef Sully, and Lowercarbon GP Clay Dumas discuss America's dangerous dependency on China for critical minerals like rare earths and lithium. They highlight the urgent need for domestic supply chains, the challenge of competing against China's mercantilist tactics, and how technological innovation combined with smart government policy can help the US regain mineral independence.

Follow on X:

@RepRitchie (Congressman Ritchie Torres)

@claydumas (Clay Dumas)

Subscribe to The Hill & Valley Forum Podcast:⁠

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HillValleyForum⁩⁠

Apple:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hill-valley-forum-podcast/id1692653857⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/39s4MCyt1pOTQ8FjOAS4mi⁠

Timestamps:

(0:00) Preview

(0:28) Introduction and Congressman Torres on America's complacency in critical minerals

(3:20) James Litinsky on MP Materials' journey to build a complete domestic rare earths supply chain

(7:46) Discussion of China's mercantilist approach to controlling critical mineral markets

(11:10) Raef Sully on Lilac Solutions' lithium extraction technology advantages

(14:54) Analysis of market manipulation and China's strategy to crash prices

(16:29) Raef on strategic reserves and incubating domestic critical mineral industries

(20:20) James on needing policy solutions beyond tax credits to counter Chinese price manipulation

(22:29) Raef on America's technological advantage and investing in innovation

(24:22) Congressman Torres on the importance of critical minerals for defense and decarbonization

(26:55) Closing

Chairman Stephen Miran, CEA and Agility Robotics CEO Peggy Johnson | Automation for the Republic: Reindustrializing Through Robotics May 03, 2025

Show notes

In this Hill and Valley Forum panel, Peggy Johnson, CEO of Agility Robotics, Stephen Miran, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, and Congressman John Moolenaar discuss how humanoid robots are helping address labor shortages in warehouses and factories while supporting America's manufacturing resurgence. They emphasize the importance of maintaining U.S. technological leadership against China's aggressive competition in robotics through smart policies, tariffs, and investments in workforce development.

Follow on X:

@RepMoolenaar (John Moolenaar)

@PeggyJ (Peggy Johnson)

@SteveMiran (Steve Miran)

Subscribe to The Hill & Valley Forum Podcast:⁠

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HillValleyForum⁩⁠

Apple:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hill-valley-forum-podcast/id1692653857⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/39s4MCyt1pOTQ8FjOAS4mi⁠

Timestamps:

(0:00) Preview

(0:26) Introduction to the panel on robotics and manufacturing

(1:48) Peggy Johnson explaining what humanoid robots are and their capabilities

(3:36) Stephen Miran on manufacturing's importance for national security

(5:36) Discussion of competition with China in robotics technology

(7:32) Bank teller analogy: how automation creates more jobs, not fewer

(8:44) How robots fill jobs humans don't want in logistics and manufacturing

(9:49) Policy needs for robotics: safety regulations and talent development

(13:00) Creating a competitive U.S. economy through tax incentives and regulatory reforms

(15:20) Role of tariffs in addressing unfair trade practices with China(17:49) Supply chain vulnerabilities and critical components

(22:18) Future of humanoid robots in factories and eventually homes

(24:57) Making robotics appealing to the next generation of workers

(27:08) Closing

Senator Mike Rounds, Anthropic Co-Founder Jack Clark, and Ravi Mhatre of Lightspeed | AI and the American Fabric: Rebuilding Society and Code Up May 03, 2025

Show notes

In this Hill and Valley Forum panel, Senator Mike Rounds, Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark, and Lightspeed Venture Partners founder Ravi Mhatre discuss the critical balance between accelerating AI innovation and implementing necessary controls to maintain US technological leadership against China. They emphasize the importance of public-private collaboration, increased energy capacity, and the transformative potential of AI in healthcare and scientific research.

Follow on X:

@SenatorRounds (Senator Mike Rounds (SD))

@jackclarkSF (Jack Clark)

@ravi_lsvp (Ravi Mhatre)

Subscribe to The Hill & Valley Forum Podcast:⁠

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HillValleyForum⁩⁠

Apple:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hill-valley-forum-podcast/id1692653857⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/39s4MCyt1pOTQ8FjOAS4mi⁠

Timestamps:

(0:00) Preview

(1:17) Introduction by moderator Ravi Mhatre of Lightseed Venture Partners

(2:29) Context setting about the current state of AI technology advancements

(4:08) Senator Rounds on how the US can stay competitive in AI through public-private collaboration

(6:52) Discussion on balancing innovation speed with necessary security controls

(9:16) Analysis of China's AI capabilities and the DeepSeek model

(13:59) Senator Rounds on China's determination to achieve AI parity with the US

(16:27) Conversation about export controls and policies around open-source AI models

(19:19) Senator Rounds highlighting AI's potential to revolutionize healthcare and cancer research

(21:25) Jack Clark on AI's ability to accelerate scientific research and discovery

(23:18) Discussion on the timeline for AI systems capable of coding and AI R&D

(24:17) Closing thoughts on policy priorities including energy infrastructure and security measures

(26:45) Closing

Senator Jack Reed, Applied Intuition CEO Qasar Younis, and Josh Wolfe | Command and Control: AI, Autonomy, and the Future of National Defense May 03, 2025

Show notes

In this Hill and Valley Forum panel, Applied Intuition CEO Qasar Younis, Senator Jack Reed, and Lux Capital's Josh Wolfe discuss the challenges of maintaining US technological leadership against China. They emphasize the critical importance of attracting global talent, balancing innovation with security concerns, and developing nuanced policy approaches that address espionage risks without sacrificing America's competitive edge in AI and autonomous systems.

Follow on X:

@SenJackReed (Senator Jack Reed)

@qasar (Qasar Younis)

@wolfejosh (Josh Wolfe)

Subscribe to The Hill & Valley Forum Podcast:⁠

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HillValleyForum⁩⁠

Apple:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hill-valley-forum-podcast/id1692653857⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/39s4MCyt1pOTQ8FjOAS4mi⁠

Timestamps:

(0:00) Preview

(1:37) Introduction of panel with Applied Intuition CEO Qasar Younis and Senator Jack Reed

(3:05) Explanation of Applied Intuition's work on AI for autonomous machines

(4:11) Senator Reed on dual-use technology and military innovation challenges

(6:12) Qasar's insights from recent visit to Shanghai and Chinese approach to IP

(10:34) Discussion on talent acquisition and immigration policy

(12:42) Qasar's observations about China's surveillance state

(15:25) Senator Reed on data security and privacy concerns

(17:09) Conversation about autonomous vehicles and data vulnerability

(19:22) Finding middle ground between privacy protection and innovation

(21:40) Senator Reed departs; continuation with Qasar Younis

(22:08) Insights from Qasar's recent trip to China and the surveillance state

(24:24) Geopolitical implications of AI and autonomous systems

(25:56) Advice for technologists and policymakers in defense autonomy

(28:22) Closing

Congressman Gabe Amo, 8VC’s Alex Moore, Saronic’s Rob Lehman, and Varun Gupta | Maritime Power Reimagined: The Naval Edge in a Dangerous World May 03, 2025

Show notes

In this session from the Hill & Valley Forum 2025, Congressman Gabe Amo (RI), Saronic's Co-Founder & CCO Rob Lehman, 8VC partner Alex Moore, and Caffeinated Capital GP Varun Gupta explore how autonomous surface vessels and AI-driven maritime systems could help the US counter China's substantial naval buildup. The conversation highlights the potential for a transformative "hybrid fleet" combining traditional naval assets with unmanned systems, and examines how American shipbuilding can be revitalized through private investment and public-private partnerships.

Subscribe to The Hill & Valley Forum Podcast:

⁠YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HillValleyForum⁩⁠

Apple:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hill-valley-forum-podcast/id1692653857

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/39s4MCyt1pOTQ8FjOAS4mi⁠

Timestamps:

(00:00) Alex Moore on how elite Silicon Valley engineers are entering the naval space

(00:27) America's maritime challenges and China's naval advantage

(01:29) Congressman Gabe Amo on the strategic imbalance in the Indo-Pacific and funding predictability challenges

(03:51) Rob Lehman explaining Saronic's approach to unmanned vessels enhancing the Navy's hybrid fleet concept

(06:38) Alex Moore on the compounding nature of maritime AI and autonomous software stacks

(09:14) Congressman Amo discussing underwater drone development in Rhode Island's maritime industry

(11:58) The evolution of maritime dominance from battleships to distributed autonomous systems

(15:19) Discussion of America's withered shipbuilding industrial base compared to Asian competitors

(17:38) Rob Lehman detailing Saronic's $250 million investment in Gulf Craft and plans for Port Alpha

(20:17) The emergence of tech startups entering naval defense and shipbuilding after decades of Silicon Valley neglect

Senator Mike Lee and Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar | The Great Defense Reformation: Innovation, Agility, and the Future Force May 03, 2025

Show notes

In this session from the Hill & Valley Forum 2025, Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar and Senator Mike Lee (UT) diagnose the crippling bureaucracy hampering America's defense innovation and outline a path to reform. Sankar argues that America's defense procurement has forgotten the formula that produced previous breakthroughs: competing programs, heretic innovators, and prioritizing people over process. Senator Lee details how excessive regulation (100,000 pages annually costing $1.5 trillion) threatens America's ability to compete with China in the AI arms race, and champions the REINS Act to restore constitutional order and spur innovation by requiring congressional approval for major regulations.

Follow on X:

@ssankar

@senmikelee@CGarrett_15

Subscribe to The Hill & Valley Forum Podcast:

⁠YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HillValleyForum⁩⁠

Apple:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hill-valley-forum-podcast/id1692653857

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/39s4MCyt1pOTQ8FjOAS4mi⁠

Timestamps:

(00:00) Shyam Sankar explains how America's defense innovation has been hobbled

(01:01) Introduction to the panel on "The Great Defense Reformation"

(02:34) Senator Lee on the self-perpetuating bureaucracy that throttles American innovation

(06:15) Sankar on the importance of competition among government programs, not just defense contractors

(09:56) The critical role of "heretics" and founders in American defense innovation history

(13:01) Senator Lee on America's energy disadvantage against China due to regulatory burdens

(16:52) How the tech community can support regulatory reform through the REINS Act

(18:40) Sankar on positive steps from the current administration to streamline federal acquisition

(21:08) Two key reforms: implementing service-level agreements (SLAs) for government processes and recognizing requirements documents are always imperfect

(22:55) Senator Lee's detailed plan for permitting reform to accelerate innovation and development

Thrive Capital’s Josh Kushner and Jacob Helberg | Digital Dominion: Reviving American Leadership in the 21st Century May 03, 2025

Show notes

In this conversation recorded at the Hill & Valley Forum 2025, Josh Kushner, Founder of Thrive Capital, sits with Jacob Helberg to discuss his firm's investment approach and America's AI leadership strategy. Kushner emphasizes that maintaining U.S. dominance in artificial intelligence is "the most important moment in our lifetimes," advocating for policies that secure American access to critical AI inputs: talent, compute, and energy. He urges leaders to treat AI competition as a crisis despite America's current leadership position, warning that AI systems built without democratic values could have extraordinary consequences for the Western world. Kushner also shares his optimism about embodied AI and robotics creating new economic opportunities while enabling domestic manufacturing.

Follow on X:

@joshuakushner

@jacobhelberg

Subscribe to The Hill & Valley Forum Podcast:

⁠YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HillValleyForum⁩⁠

Apple:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hill-valley-forum-podcast/id1692653857

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/39s4MCyt1pOTQ8FjOAS4mi⁠

Timestamps:

(00:00) Josh Kushner on the critical importance of AI built with American democratic values

(01:34) Overview of Thrive Capital's investment approach

(03:33) Thrive's five-pronged investment strategy in artificial intelligence

(06:33) Why American leadership in AI is crucial and how public-private partnership can secure it

(09:20) Kushner's perspective on DeepSeek and the dangers of supporting Chinese AI models

(11:54) The future of embodied intelligence and AI's expansion into robotics

(14:31) How AI and automation will ultimately create more prosperity despite job displacement

(15:40) Policy advice for Washington: treating AI leadership as a national crisis despite current advantages

(18:00) The importance of first principles thinking in both entrepreneurship and policy making

Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Sierra Nevada Corporation CEO Fatih Ozmen | Winning the Decisive Decade: Tech, Resolve, and the Arsenal of Democracy May 03, 2025

Show notes

In this session from the Hill & Valley Forum 2025, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (NH) and Fatih Ozmen (CEO, Sierra Nevada Corporation) discuss America's strategy for winning the decisive decade in great power competition with China. They examine the critical challenges facing America's industrial base, from supply chain vulnerabilities and consolidation among defense contractors to budget uncertainty caused by Congressional dysfunction. They advocate for expanding the defense industrial base through open architectures, public-private partnerships, and reforms to how the government articulates requirements and approaches life-cycle costs.

Follow on X:

@SenatorShaheen

@CGarrett_15

Subscribe to The Hill & Valley Forum Podcast:

⁠YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HillValleyForum⁩⁠

Apple:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hill-valley-forum-podcast/id1692653857

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/39s4MCyt1pOTQ8FjOAS4mi

⁠

Timestamps:

(00:00) Fatih Ozmen emphasizes how expanding America's industrial base helps the entire country

(00:28) Introduction to the panel on winning the decisive decade in great power competition

(01:28) Fatih Ozmen on the need to expand America's defense industrial base and increase competition

(04:47) Senator Shaheen's concerns about the first 100 days of the administration and cuts to key programs

(07:55) Discussion of how American foreign assistance cuts have created openings for Chinese influence

(12:00) Fatih on creating a "whole of nation" approach and the importance of open architectures

(16:16) The NASA model of public-private partnerships that enables new companies to enter the market

(18:55) How American leadership in space promotes our values and inspires future generations

(19:16) Senator Shaheen on how Congressional budget uncertainty undermines national security

(22:20) Fatih's proposal for accountability in government through stronger incentive structures

(24:18) Recommendations for government to share capability requirements earlier and focus on life-cycle costs

OpenAI CPO Kevin Weil, Google CIO Ruth Porat, and Emil Michael | The AI Reckoning: How Artificial Intelligence is Rewriting America's Future May 03, 2025

Show notes

In this panel from the 2025 Hill & Valley Forum, tech leaders Kevin Weil (Chief Product Officer, OpenAI), Ruth Porat (President and Chief Investment Officer, Alphabet and Google), and Emil Michael (nominee for Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering) discuss America's AI leadership and the strategic imperative of maintaining it against China's growing capabilities. The conversation spans OpenAI's plans to release open-source models one generation behind their frontier systems, Google's breakthrough achievements with AlphaFold, and the critical infrastructure challenges - particularly energy production and modernizing the electrical grid - that must be addressed to ensure continued U.S. technological dominance.

Follow on X:

@kevinweil

@emilmichael

@zebulgar

Subscribe to The Hill & Valley Forum Podcast:

⁠YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HillValleyForum⁩⁠

Apple:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hill-valley-forum-podcast/id1692653857

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/39s4MCyt1pOTQ8FjOAS4mi

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(00:30) Discussion of America's technological leadership in AI

(01:30) Kevin Weil on ChatGPT's exponential growth to 500 million weekly users and rapid capability improvements

(05:13) Ruth Porat on AlphaFold's Nobel Prize and revolutionizing scientific discovery

(07:43) Kevin on how AI partnerships with national labs are accelerating scientific research

(09:12) Discussion of DeepSeek and the strategy for countering Chinese open-source AI soft power

(12:15) Concerns about U.S. venture capital funding Chinese AI companies

(14:18) Emil Michael on reforming Pentagon acquisition to better leverage commercial AI technology

(16:17) Building a risk-taking culture in government and celebrating success rather than punishing failure

(19:00) Ruth Porat on America's energy infrastructure challenges and Google's policy recommendations

(21:05) OpenAI's Project Stargate and $500 billion investment in U.S. AI infrastructure

(23:51) Final thoughts on maintaining U.S.-Silicon Valley cooperation and technological competitiveness

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Hill & Valley Forum Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected