The DisruptiveAF Podcast

Air Force Research Laboratory

The DisruptiveAF Podcast provides an inside look into the minds of defense changemakers who think differently about the role they play in their organizations and search for innovative ways to provide value to their communities. We alternate between perspectives at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels to explore the stories, views, and experiences from the highest levels of leadership to service members at the level of execution. read less
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Episodes

The DisruptiveAF Podcast - 17) Jessica Rees: Knowing when and how to disrupt the status quo
18-11-2020
The DisruptiveAF Podcast - 17) Jessica Rees: Knowing when and how to disrupt the status quo
Jessica Rees: "The time to disrupt is when I ask, 'Am I getting a product to the warfighter fast enough that it's staying relevant?'" Jessica Rees is the Chief Ecosystem Officer for the 309th Extreme Digital Development Group Enterprise (EDGE) at Hill Air Force Base, UT, where she delivers war-winning, radical innovation that resolves the most complex software engineering challenges. She's been a farmhand, a corrections assistant, a gym staff, an exercise physiologist, a configuration management specialist, and lately a program manager. Her passion is bringing about positive disruption, innovation and creative problem solving to the Air Force. During this episode, Jess joins our hosts Kinsley "TRIGGER" Jordan and Daniel Hulter discuss embracing and learning from failure, software development, fostering ownership in innovation, and knowing when to improve or disrupt a program, process or technology. Resources Mentioned: - Jessica Rees on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-rees-8564838/ - EDGE on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eddge-ogden/ - AFWERX Office Hours: https://www.afwerx.af.mil/office-hours.html If you enjoy the show, we’d love for you to review The DisruptiveAF Podcasts on Apple Podcasts. This helps us reach new people who would love to hear from our guests every week. Plus, we love to hear your thoughts! For more about the podcast, visit https://www.afwerx.af.mil/podcast.html Follow AFWERX: Twitter: twitter.com/afwerx Instagram: instagram.com/afwerx Facebook: facebook.com/afwerx
The DisruptiveAF Podcast  - 16) Jason Rathje: Facilitating problem-solution matches through AFVentures
04-11-2020
The DisruptiveAF Podcast - 16) Jason Rathje: Facilitating problem-solution matches through AFVentures
Jason Rathje: "Anybody can be an innovator--any Airmen can innovate, but it does have to be connected to outcomes. That's the separation between what innovation theater might be and what I would consider true innovation within the process." Maj. Jason Rathje is AFWERX's AFVentures Director, where he implements novel initiatives to mature and transition "dual-use" technology ventures by building relationships between commercial solution-providers and Air Force problem-owners to scale successful problem-solution matches. Prior to this, he spent three years researching the intersection of entrepreneurship, innovation, and national security in Stanford's Management Science & Engineering Department, specializing in technology entrepreneurship strategies. He specifically studied the effect of government partnerships, both as an investor and customer, on basic research through commercialization. During this episode, Jason joins our hosts Kinsley "TRIGGER" Jordan and Daniel Hulter discuss economic theory regarding innovation, bridging the valley of death through incentive alignment, and how the investment arm of the Air Force is working with startups to further their capabilities. Resources Mentioned: - AFWERX Office Hours: https://www.afwerx.af.mil/office-hours.html If you enjoy the show, we’d love for you to review The DisruptiveAF Podcasts on Apple Podcasts! This helps us reach new people who would love to hear from our guests every week. Plus, we love to hear your thoughts on the show! For more about the podcast, visit https://www.afwerx.af.mil/podcast.html Follow AFWERX: Twitter: twitter.com/afwerx Instagram: instagram.com/afwerx Facebook: facebook.com/afwerx
The DisruptiveAF Podcast  - 15) Trish Marshall: Setting the foundation for enterprise-wide innovation
28-10-2020
The DisruptiveAF Podcast - 15) Trish Marshall: Setting the foundation for enterprise-wide innovation
Trish Marshall: "Now we're trying to build those metrics...to tell the story of how we're maintaining and growing our competitive edge in relation to our peer and near-peer actors." Trish Marshall is the Chief of Strategy for the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center (AFIMSC). At the time of this recording, she was an Innovation Project Manager at AFIMSC where she developed and managed projects that focused on providing solutions, innovative technologies, and comprehensive training to the organization. Some of her areas of expertise are Smart Cities, strategic program development, process improvement, and change and performance management. During this episode, Trish joins our hosts Kinsley "TRIGGER" Jordan and Daniel Hulter to discuss moving beyond personality-driven innovation, building a Digital Innovation Dashboard (DID) MVP, and connecting intrapreneurs to the sustainment process. Resources Mentioned: - AFWERX Office Hours: https://www.afwerx.af.mil/office-hours.html - AFIMSC Ventures: https://www.afimsc.af.mil/Innovation/ If you enjoy the show, we’d love for you to review The DisruptiveAF Podcasts on Apple Podcasts! This helps us reach new people who would love to hear from our guests every week. Plus, we love to hear your thoughts on the show. For more about the podcast, visit https://www.afwerx.af.mil/podcast.html Follow AFWERX: Twitter: twitter.com/afwerx Instagram: instagram.com/afwerx Facebook: facebook.com/afwerx
The DisruptiveAF Podcast - 10) Jon Margolick: Keeping your eye on the problem with warfighter-centered design Pt. 2
25-08-2020
The DisruptiveAF Podcast - 10) Jon Margolick: Keeping your eye on the problem with warfighter-centered design Pt. 2
Jon Margolick: "In the innovation space, it's really easy to end up focusing on processes or tools more than the purpose of the process or tool." As the former Director of the Centers for Adaptive Warfighting at NavalX and now the Truman National Security Project Executive Vice President, Jon Margolick has pursued ways to adapt the Department of Defense to a changing world. He is experienced in the ways of design thinking, agile scrum, lean start-up, and the ways they teach us to know and shape our missions. He's an advocate for empowering leaders and warfighters by delivering industry best practices for complex problem-solving and ideation. During this episode, Jon joins our hosts Kinsley "TRIGGER" Jordan and Daniel Hulter to discuss how to leverage social technology like design thinking and human-centered design to create more inclusive organizations and leverage the power of the diverse talent within your organization. In a culture that often over-prioritizes compliance, Jon shares ways to get back on track and start having difficult discussions and solving problems our servicemembers face on a daily basis. Resources Mentioned: • Training - Centers for Adaptive Warfighting: https://www.secnav.navy.mil/agility/Pages/caw.aspx • Author - Jeanne Liedka: https://jeanneliedtka.com/ • Book - Design Thinking for the Greater Good by Jeanne Liedka • Book - Team of Teams by Gen. Stanley McChrystal • Book - The Scrum Fieldbook by J.J. Sutherland • Book - Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink • Book - Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson If you enjoy the show, we’d love for you to review The DisruptiveAF Podcasts on Apple Podcasts! This helps us reach new people who would love to hear from our guests every week. Plus, we love to hear your thoughts on the show. For more about the podcast, visit https://www.afwerx.af.mil/podcast.html Follow AFWERX: Twitter: twitter.com/afwerx Instagram: instagram.com/afwerx Facebook: facebook.com/afwerx
The DisruptiveAF Podcast - 10) Jon Margolick: Keeping your eye on the problem with warfighter-centered design Pt. 1
11-08-2020
The DisruptiveAF Podcast - 10) Jon Margolick: Keeping your eye on the problem with warfighter-centered design Pt. 1
Jon Margolick: "Design thinking is the antidote to all the things you hate most about meetings. It's nothing more complicated than just being able to converse with other people in a way that makes it possible to actually communicate." As the former Director of the Centers for Adaptive Warfighting at NavalX and now the Truman National Security Project Executive Vice President, Jon Margolick has pursued ways to adapt the Department of Defense to a changing world. He is experienced in the ways of design thinking, agile scrum, lean start-up, and the ways they teach us to know and shape our missions. He's an advocate for empowering leaders and warfighters by delivering industry best practices for complex problem-solving and ideation. During this episode, Jon joins our hosts Kinsley "TRIGGER" Jordan and Daniel Hulter to discuss the importance of warfighter-centered design to ensuring tools and processes provide the value they're intending to create. In a culture that often over-prioritizes compliance, Jon shares ways to get back on track and start solving problems our servicemembers face on a daily basis. Resources Mentioned: - NavalX Centers for Adaptive Warfighting (CAW): https://www.secnav.navy.mil/agility/Pages/caw.aspx If you enjoy the show, we’d love for you to review The DisruptiveAF Podcasts on Apple Podcasts! This helps us reach new people who would love to hear from our guests every week. Plus, we love to hear your thoughts on the show. For more about the podcast, visit https://www.afwerx.af.mil/podcast.html Follow AFWERX: Twitter: twitter.com/afwerx Instagram: instagram.com/afwerx Facebook: facebook.com/afwerx
The DisruptiveAF Podcast - 9) Ralphie Short: How customer discovery sets the foundation for successful projects
27-07-2020
The DisruptiveAF Podcast - 9) Ralphie Short: How customer discovery sets the foundation for successful projects
Ralphie Short: "We talk about agile, we talk about doing things in minutes, hours and days--but don't go so fast that you miss something. It really pays to be slow and methodical, which will just help you go faster in the future." Maj. William "Ralphie" Short is a Senior Air Battle Manager and Intrapraneur, who creates bleeding edge technology that directly impacts warfighters. He attended and pitched at the first-ever AFWERX Spark Collider in August 2019, and has taken his project "WIDOW" from an idea, to a prototype, to operational software that warfighters are using right now. Ralphie has extensive experience in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) process, and has successfully transitioned WIDOW to a Phase III contract, only one of a handful in the U.S. Air Force that have made it that far. During this episode, Ralphie joins our hosts Kinsley "TRIGGER" Jordan and Daniel Hulter to discuss the importance of customer discovery and choosing the right industry partners when developing solutions. He also highlights the success of a recent project he's been working on, the challenges he's faced along the way, and those around him who've helped make it happen. Resources mentioned: - Book: The Obstacle Is The Way - Airmen Powered by Innovation: https://usaf.ideascalegov.com/ If you enjoy the show, we’d love for you to review The DisruptiveAF Podcasts on Apple Podcasts! This helps us reach new people who would love to hear from our guests every week. Plus, we love to hear your thoughts on the show. For more about the podcast, visit https://www.afwerx.af.mil/podcast.html Follow AFWERX: Twitter: twitter.com/afwerx Instagram: instagram.com/afwerx Facebook: facebook.com/afwerx
The DisruptiveAF Podcast - 8) Carrie Martin: Building a path for others to follow in contracting and innovation
22-07-2020
The DisruptiveAF Podcast - 8) Carrie Martin: Building a path for others to follow in contracting and innovation
Carrie Martin: "Even if you take a loss here and there, don't stop. You're not always going to be able to change people. You have to inspire your own positivity and make increments of change that are within your power--sometimes your change is your attitude and the way you look at things, even if you can't change policy." Carrie has been involved in the defense innovation ecosystem for about a year. She has attended numerous RAPIDx workshops in various AFWERX facilities. She was recently named the RAPIDx Flight Chief for AFWERX operational support. She is passionate about helping innovators find the best acquisition method for making their ideas become a reality. During this episode, we discuss innovative contracting mechanisms and the office culture needed for experimenting and trying new things. Carrie also mentions the importance of pulling enabling agencies like contracting into your innovation projects early and often. All in all, the key message is that when you innovate, don't forget to build a path behind you for others to follow. Resources Mentioned: - 82nd Contracting Squadron & RAPIDx webpage: https://82cons.com/ - Join AFWERX's weekly office hours: https://www.afwerx.af.mil/office-hour... If you enjoy the show, we’d love for you to review The DisruptiveAF Podcasts on Apple Podcasts! This helps us reach new people who would love to hear from our guests every week. Plus, we love to hear your thoughts on the show. For more about the podcast, visit https://www.afwerx.af.mil/podcast.html Follow AFWERX: Twitter: twitter.com/afwerx Instagram: instagram.com/afwerx Facebook: facebook.com/afwerx
The DisruptiveAF Podcast - 7) Ben Kelsey: How Air Force Gaming arose by combining passion with initiative
14-07-2020
The DisruptiveAF Podcast - 7) Ben Kelsey: How Air Force Gaming arose by combining passion with initiative
Ben Kelsey: "We care about resiliency. We saw a gap in what was being provided to Airmen--there are recreation leagues for soccer, football, you name it, but for all the Airmen who are hanging out in their dorms playing video games--there's nothing for them and there's nothing connecting them to other people. We saw it as an opportunity to connect them to other people." SSgt. Ben Kelsey has been in the Air Force for about 7 years as a security forces defender. Outside of his Air Force career, his passion and hobbies are centered around video games. He's currently running Community & Marketing for Air Force Gaming and has spent years making connections in the e-sports and gaming industry and spend his free time moderating for Riot Games among other e-sports leagues on Twitch. During this episode, our hosts Kinsley "TRIGGER" Jordan and Daniel Hulter connect with Ben and discuss how a group of Airmen created what is now Air Force Gaming, a community built on connection and resiliency. This initiative arose when a few Airmen recognized a need within the service that wasn't being met and they combined passion with initiative to creatively approach the challenge. By building on the unique talents of their team, this intrapreneur initiative has grown significantly and provided hundreds of Airmen a place to connect with others within the service. Resources Mentioned: - Air Force Gaming: https://airforcegaming.com/ ; contact@afg.team - Gaming & the Air Force Blog: https://medium.com/innovativeaf/gaming-the-air-force-42bece80bdea If you enjoy the show, we’d love for you to review The DisruptiveAF Podcasts on Apple Podcasts! This helps us reach new people who would love to hear from our guests every week. Plus, we love to hear your thoughts on the show. For more about the podcast, visit https://www.afwerx.af.mil/podcast.html Follow AFWERX: Twitter: twitter.com/afwerx Instagram: instagram.com/afwerx Facebook: facebook.com/afwerx
The DisruptiveAF Podcast - 6) Kathy Reid: Creating an innovation empowerment office
30-06-2020
The DisruptiveAF Podcast - 6) Kathy Reid: Creating an innovation empowerment office
Kathy Reid: "I really had a passion for helping people do things they didn't think they could do--reaching beyond what the limits were." Kathy is the Spark Cell Lead for the 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base. The Wing has experienced exponential growth in their innovation culture under her coaching. She has been actively involved in the AFWERX innovation ecosystem and event attendance since its inception. She is passionate about inspiring Airmen to relentlessly pursue their ideas, to exceed their expectations and to enable them to leave a legacy that defines our future Air Force. During this episode, we explore what is means to invest in people, give them the tools they need to get started, and allow them the freedom to try new things. By committing to listening to people and empathizing with the challenges they face, Kathy says you're able to move beyond a basic assumption of what their problems are and truly understanding their pain points. We also cover a few success stories and projects happening at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, made possible by a team of innovation coaches and the intrapreneurs they enable. Kathy's Five Tips for Innovation Spark Cell leads: 1. Put Airmen first. Listen to what they have to say because we need to be the enabler they desperately need. 2. Take every opportunity you have to speak to high ranking individuals and pull them in. 3. Tell the story. But don't be positive all the time! Talk about the failures, what you've learned and how you overcame things. That's what truly makes innovation what it is. 4. Connect, connect, connect. Call complete strangers and make the connections that will help you achieve beyond what you can alone. 5. You're going to feel uncomfortable most days. Embrace that feeling as a key attribute to success. Resources Mentioned: - Eglin Air Force Base: https://www.eglin.af.mil/ "If you enjoy the show, we’d love for you to review The DisruptiveAF Podcasts on Apple Podcasts! This helps us reach new people who would love to hear from our guests every week. Plus, we love to hear your thoughts on the show! For more about the podcast, visit https://www.afwerx.af.mil/podcast.html Follow AFWERX: Twitter: twitter.com/afwerx Instagram: instagram.com/afwerx Facebook: facebook.com/afwerx