Breaking The Billionaire Barrier: Opening Space To All with Jim Cantrell
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
Release Date: 08/14/2024
The Outsider CEO Scaling Terran Orbital Into a Business Powerhouse | Peter Krauss
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
“What this industry didn’t need was another aerospace executive. It needed someone willing to ask why we do things the way we do” – Peter Krauss Peter Krauss didn’t grow up in aerospace. He never worked in defense. So how did he become CEO of one of the most innovative space tech companies in the world? That’s exactly what makes this episode of Mission Critical so powerful. As the new CEO of Terran Orbital, Peter brings a fresh, entrepreneurial lens to a legacy industry—and it’s shaking things up. He’s spearheading “Terran 2.0,” a return to the company’s disruptive...
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Why Playing It Safe in 2025 Will End Your Space Career with Mitch Stevison
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
“the reality is people, through their careers, have been held back because of taking risk and failing” – Mitch Stevison The space industry is evolving at warp speed, and the leaders who will thrive are those willing to embrace disruption, challenge legacy thinking, and build resilient teams. In this episode, Mitch Stevison shares what future CEOs and executives in aerospace and defense must change to stay ahead in an era of rapid technological advancement and shifting global priorities. As commercial and government space initiatives accelerate, the demands on leadership are changing. The...
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How SATCOM Disruption Could Risk National Security with Tim Winter
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
"The last two to three years have brought more change to the satellite industry than the previous two decades combined." – Tim Winter In this episode of Mission Critical, Katherine Jerald sits down with Tim Winter, CEO of iDirect Government, to discuss the massive disruptions shaping the satellite communications (SATCOM) industry and what they mean for government, defense, and commercial players. Tim shares insights on how companies can compete in a rapidly evolving market, the role of LEO vs. GEO satellites, and why secure, multi-orbit communications are crucial for military operations....
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The Leadership Secrets That Make People Love Working For Chandra Marshall (VP Lockheed Martin)
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
Ready for a masterclass in team building? Trailblazer Chandra Marshall from Lockheed Martin shares her journey from political science major to influential leader in multi-domain combat systems. Chandra's leadership style is anchored in psychological safety—creating environments where team members are free to voice their ideas and challenge the status quo, thereby driving innovation and effectiveness. Highlighting the power of diverse perspectives, she explains how inclusive decision-making not only overcomes biases but also fosters robust collaboration and problem-solving. In addition to...
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Why The New Space Economy Is the Gold Rush of Our Time with Ram Riojas
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
Why is this very moment in history being called the "gold rush of our time"? Retired Colonel Ram Riojas joins Katherine to tell us all. With 26 years of distinguished military service, Ram has been a trailblazer in the evolution of air, space, cyber and Special Ops, as a founding member of the US Space Force and US Space Command, essentially helping shape the Space Force before it even existed. Ram has led budgets of up to 64 billion in space and cyber programs, shaping the future of national defense. Ram also walked the entrepreneurial path, founding Delta defense and scaling it from zero to...
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The Risks of Space Dependency: Are We Ready for the Fallout? with Tim Solms (Slingshot Aerospace CEO)
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
Tim Solms, CEO of Slingshot Aerospace and former Apache pilot, is here to share his extraordinary journey from the cockpit to the cutting edge of space technology. Discover how space's vital role in our daily lives, from communications to finance, also makes us vulnerable to global threats. Tim delivers a stark warning about the dangers of ignoring space security, urging us to consider the implications of actions by nations like China and Russia. As a leader with experience spanning military and tech industries, Tim's insights on aligning technology with mission needs are invaluable. We dive...
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Hypersonic Innovation: The Race To Fly Faster with Dan Jablonsky
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
What does it take to lead a company at the forefront of hypersonic technology? You’re about to find out! Dan Jablonsky, CEO of Ursa Major, joins Katherine to unpack his unique journey from Navy nuclear engineer to attorney, and now, a visionary leader transforming aerospace innovation. With over 100 days as CEO, Dan shares his leadership philosophy, the power of adaptability, and how he’s building a company culture where values are not just written on a wall, but are lived every single day. Dan also uncovers the fascinating link between humility and paranoia in business, and reveals...
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How to Rapidly Monetize Your Knowledge with Dr Layla Martin
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
What happens when space science patterns unlock the future of expertise. This week, Dr Layla Martin, a Harvard, Yale, and MIT alum, and the creator of the groundbreaking Orbit methodology, joins us to discuss how to turn your expert knowledge into income in today’s AI-driven economy. As a space theorist and pattern recognition expert, Dr Martin reveals how she translates natural patterns into actionable monetization strategies, helping experts create sustainable, recurring revenue streams. Dr Martin also introduces her concept of Astrofeminism, a fresh perspective on space exploration that...
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What It Takes to Build a Billion-Dollar Company with Alfonzo Ianniello (Codan Limited)
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
Imagine skyrocketing a company from $800 million to a multi-billion dollar entity—how is it done? This week our guest is Alfonzo Ianniello, the visionary CEO of Codan Limited. Codan is a manufacturer and supplier of communications, metal detection, and mining technology. It’s products include Minelab, DTC & Zetron “Always be dissatisfied at all elements of the organization, whether it's your customer interactions, whether your internal processes or your tech roadmaps. Always be dissatisfied, always push for what good is and improve that current state.” – Alfonzo...
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Become A Master Of Change in Three Simple Steps with Lee Steinke
Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting
Ready to master change? This week, inspirational leader and a powerhouse in aerospace and energy, Lee Steinke, joins Katherine to discuss her uncommon career switch from the oil and gas sector to aerospace. Hear how, during the chaos of the pandemic, Lee seized the opportunity to pivot industries, using her geological expertise to find surprising similarities between drilling rigs and rocket launch pads. Lee also opens up about the emotional journey from being a senior executive to taking on unpaid volunteer work—and how it ultimately led her to her current roles as COO at Cislunar...
info_outlineBuckle up as Jim Cantrell, the maverick uncle of the space industry, joins us to chart his extraordinary journey from tinkering with household gadgets to pioneering projects at NASA's JPL. Now at the helm of Phantom Space, Jim is on a mission to democratize space travel, inspired by Henry Ford's principles of mass production. Get ready to discover how Phantom Space aims to open up the final frontier, making space missions affordable for individuals and corporations alike.
Jim delves into the complexities of satellite launches and reveals how Phantom Space, with its mix of seasoned SpaceX veterans and fresh engineering talent, plans to disrupt the market with cost-effective solutions. He also shares insights on building efficient space teams, lessons learned from early SpaceX days, and a high-stakes cold call from Elon Musk, highlighting the rigorous work culture Musk instilled—marked by high expectations and unyielding commitment, even at 3 AM on holiday. Jim also sheds light on the dual nature of space regulations, their impact on the industry, and much more. Key points throughout include:
- The Journey to NASA's JPL: Where A Love for Space Began
- The Infinite Frontier of Space and Building the Henry Ford of Space Exploration
- The High Stakes of Space Engineering: Why Only The Best Can Build Hardware
- Controlling The Launch And Controlling Destiny
- The Key To Entrepreneurial Success: Being Prepared To Be Lucky
- Embracing Serendipity: Seeking Life-Changing Opportunities in Every Moment
- Space Industry Regulations: Are They Friend or Foe?
- The Greatest Threat: The Catastrophic Consequences Of War In Space
- DEI in Space and Overcoming Hiring Failures
- The Future of Space Travel: Accessibility for All
"There's this lesson that I call being prepared to be lucky. Some people have luck walking right in front of them. And they they don't even notice it. But if you're prepared for it and recognize it, you can take advantage of these situations. That's part of being successful as an entrepreneur, being prepared to be lucky." – Jim Cantrell.
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Are you ready to unleash the beast in defense recruiting? Join us next time on Mission Critical Defense Recruiting, the ultimate podcast unveiling strategies to build powerhouse teams in the defense industry. Don't miss out on the inside scoop for crafting your unbeatable squad!
Get connected with Jim Cantrell:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-cantrell/
Book: Breaking All the Rules: The Inside Story of the New Space Race
https://www.jimcantrell.com/store/breaking-all-the-rules
Get connected with your host, Katherine Jerald:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinejerald/
This podcast is proudly produced in partnership with podlad.com