Best Quadcopter Podcasts (2025)

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Fire In The Sky, Drones For Firing Ops And More: CEO Of Drone Amplified, Dr. Carrick Detweiler. Their IGNIS quadcopter UAS platform is the standard for firing ops across the industry. 38:46

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10d ago38:46

38:46

On Today’s Show: To Subscribe and Support 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Today, I welcome Dr. Carrick Detweiler, founder and CEO of Drone Amplified. They have developed the quadcopter drone and software platform used by the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, State Agencies, and others for aerial ignitions on wildfires and prescribe…

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Quadcopters Do Not Redefine Air Superiority: They Redefine Land Warfare — Ep. 240 1:00:08

16d ago1:00:08

1:00:08

Episode Summary: Combat operations in Ukraine and the Red Sea clearly demonstrate the impact of small lethal drones as portable precision-guided munitions. Some have suggested that their use has made such a change in the character of war that a new category of airspace must be introduced. Casting it as the “air littoral,” they claim the military sh…

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Two Confirmed Deaths, Unknown Casualties In Idaho Wildfire Ambush. Law Enforcement Still Taking Active Fire From Unknown Amounts Of Suspects. 11:15

14h ago11:15

11:15

Idaho Wildfire Shooting Update: To support and subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ The press conference has just finished, with new details on the incident. Two firefighter deaths were confirmed by the local sheriff, FBI en route, and SWAT on scene. Law enforcement says they are still actively taking fire from an unknown number of “we…

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Land Sale Proposal Pulled From Budget Bill. Firefighter Burned In Nevada. Mental Health In The WildFire Workforce With Dani Shedden. How to find positivity in your work. 1:10:42

19h ago1:10:42

1:10:42

On Today’s Show: 100% community supported, To Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ The public land sale proposal has been removed from the budget bill. Sen. Mike Lee said this morning that he may reintroduce the proposal, but will remove the sale of Forest Service land and significantly reduce the amount of Bureau of Land Management La…

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11th Space Warning Squadron: Guardian Perspectives — Ep. 243 57:58

2d ago57:58

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Episode Summary: This week, we're shining a spotlight on the men and women of the 11th Space Warning Squadron (SWS). They provide theater missile warning to warfighters around the world. Given the nature and intensity of the threat environment, they have been incredibly busy. The 11 SWS is the inaugural recipient of the General Atomics United State…

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Baboo.FPV 2:00:45

5d ago2:00:45

2:00:45

Send us a text This month we welcome Baboo FPV to the Kwadverse. An amazing and humble pilot whose lines bring unique perspectives from Parkour and Skateboarding. His FPV journey has taken him from the vibrant landscapes of Brazil to the towering steel and stone of New York City. Along the way, he’s filmed with icons like Bam Margera, threading his…

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USAF Airpower Over Iran: Key Insights — Ep. 242 1:03:55

6d ago1:03:55

1:03:55

Episode Summary: We’re bringing you a special edition of the Aerospace Advantage to discuss Saturday’s strike on Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities. Everyone has read the news by now—the story of the 7 B-2s flying from Whiteman Air Force Base, numerous aerial refuelings along the way, air superiority aircraft joining the raid, tomahawk missiles f…

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What's Inside The Proposal To Sell 1.5% Of Public Lands? I Cover This Plan To "Dispose Of" Millions Of Acres. Alaska wildfires pop off, Dozer operator burned in New Mexico. 45:01

9d ago45:01

45:01

On Today’s Show: To Support and Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ I cover the proposal to sell off up to 1.5% of public lands for housing developments. I am a firm believer that public lands are our greatest national treasure. I cover the full details of the plan, which expects to raise $10 billion, and further fund land management …

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China In Space: Deterring Hostile Use of Force — Ep. 241 49:31

9d ago49:31

49:31

Episode Summary: This week we’re taking a deep dive into deterrence, specifically deterring China from using force in space. Air University’s China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI), in partnership with the Center for Naval Analysis (CNA), just released a new report exploring this topic. Results suggest that the U.S. security establishment has ser…

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Episode 239 — Budget Battles, Golden Dome, and Ukraine’s Strike on Russia: The Rendezvous 56:51

23d ago56:51

56:51

Episode Summary: In this episode, Heather "Lucky" Penney talks to Lt. Gen. David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Charles Galbreath, and Anthony "Lazer" Lazarski about the top defense issues this month in Washington, D.C. and beyond. They unpack how the FY26 defense budget is unfolding—what is good and where is it falling short? The factors involving reconcil…

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CEO Of Watch Duty, John Mills, Discusses Developing Wildfire Tech And The Future Of The Company. 46:43

28d ago46:43

46:43

On Today’s Show: I am 100% subscriber-supported, Thank you. 🙏To Subscribe: https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ John Mills moved to California and quickly came to realize the harsh reality of living in the wildland-urban interface. More out of necessity than anything else, he began working on the Watch Duty platform, a wildfire-tracking app, with…

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Episode 238 - Logistics While Under Attack: Key to a CCA Force Design 1:08:18

30d ago1:08:18

1:08:18

Episode Summary: With threats surging around the world, the Air Force must figure out how to reset and do it fast. They can’t just buy more of what the service fielded in past decades. Fighting and winning tomorrow will require new operational concepts and technologies that’ll give airmen an edge. That’s where CCA come into the mix. They’re designe…

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Pacific North Whoop 1:02:51

1M ago1:02:51

1:02:51

Send us a text This month we welcome Pacific North Whoop to the Kwadverse. One of the first US-based BetaFPV sponsored pilots, he’s pioneering O4 whoops to turn gray skies into golden lines. Pacific North Whoop takes us on his journey from the earliest whoops, held together with hot glue and a prayer, to his latest custom builds that pack 4K HD int…

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Episode 237 — Want Next Gen Electronic Attack? Better Invest in Operational Analysis 53:05

1M ago53:05

53:05

Episode Summary: Fighting and winning in the twenty first century requires next gen electronic attack capabilities. Designing that technology and developing effective concepts of operation demands operational analysis. Heather Penney discusses this reality with Lt Gen David “Kooler” Krumm, USAF (Ret.) of BAE Systems. It comes down to empowering str…

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USDA And DOI Sign Joint Wildfire Memo. Sec. Rollins Directs Forest Service Wildfire Response In New Order. No Tax On Overtime...? 31:13

1M ago31:13

31:13

On today’s show: To support and subscribe👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Yesterday, Secretary Rollins and Secretary Burgum received their 2025 wildfire briefing in the Forest Service offices and signed a joint wildfire memo afterward. Further, Secretary Rollins issued a memorandum directing the USDA and Forest Service to take immediate acti…

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Episode 236 — China Update: 6th Gen Fighters, Russia Relations, and Taiwan Strait Drills 1:10:19

1M ago1:10:19

1:10:19

Episode Summary: Join us to learn more about the latest developments in Chinese airpower and spacepower developments. Heather Penney and Mike "JDAM" Dahm discuss a wide range of topics, including an update on China’s 6th generation fighters and recent PLA exercises in the Taiwan Strait. They discuss what is happening with more missing PLA generals …

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23 Years As A Fire Wife: The Struggles And Joys Of Wildfire Relationships. Brittany Culbertson joins to discuss what it’s like to be a longtime Fire Wife. 1:09:16

2M ago1:09:16

1:09:16

On Today’s Show: To subscribe and support 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/With wildfire couples starting another season and enduring the struggles that come with that, I thought it would be a great time to have a conversation about exactly this. Brittany Culbertson is a mom of two boys (17 & 20) and a proud Wildland Fire wife for 23 years. S…

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The Timber Executive Orders: Former NEPA Assistant Director For The USDA, Sharon Friedman, Joins To Discuss The Orders. 1:12:11

2M ago1:12:11

1:12:11

On today’s show: To Support and Subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ These last couple of weeks, listeners have been asking for an episode of the recent Timber Executive orders on Timber management in the National Forests. So, I invited Sharon Friedman on the show, who has a wealth of knowledge as the former Assistant Director of NEPA …

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Episode 235 — Understanding the CCA Edge: Innovators’ Insights 1:09:15

2M ago1:09:15

1:09:15

Episode Summary: Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) stand forth as one of the most important airpower developments of the twenty-first century. We learn more about CCA by talking to two of the people involved with developing and building them: Mike Atwood from General Atomics and Andrew “Scar” Van Timmeren of Anduril. CCA’s ability to harness the …

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Episode 234 — Defense Budget, Fighter Modernization, and Warfighting in Space: The Rendezvous 57:50

2M ago57:50

57:50

Episode Summary: In this Rendezvous episode, we discuss top Air Force and Space Force developments in Washington, D.C., and beyond. Topics include the latest defense budget plus-up via reconciliation and what this means for air and space power. We also discuss INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Paparo’s testimony regarding airpower gaps in the Pacific and…

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Getting Through Critical 80 Healthy, Now What? Sustainable Wellness Through The Fire Season With Jessie Thomas. Jessie is a Former Hotshot, Smokejumper, and now a health and fitness coach. 1:23:44

2M ago1:23:44

1:23:44

On Today’s Show: To Subscribe and support: 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ I welcome Jessie Thomas to discuss health and fitness through the fire season. Sometimes, you need to hack the system to make it work for you, as the food and nutrition provided are often subpar. So, Jessie provides solutions for how you make it through the year whil…

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Episode 233 — Securing Air and Space: Allied Insights 1:00:12

2M ago1:00:12

1:00:12

Episode Summary: France is America’s oldest ally. We’ve been through a lot: the American Revolution over 250 years ago, two World Wars, and ongoing worldwide military operations. Our two nations have stood side by side when it mattered most. This connection endures. These days, it’s more important than ever, considering China’s rise, Russia’s aggre…

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Living In The Wildland Urban Interface: Insurance Costs Rising, Home Hardening, And Wildfire Risk Maps. Stanford Scholar Michael Wara provides a needed dose of reality. 1:03:29

2M ago1:03:29

1:03:29

On Today’s Show: To Subscribe and support the show 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ With recent developments in Oregon, Idaho, and California regarding their use of wildfire risk maps, the skyrocketing cost of insurance, and the reality of living in the Wildland Urban Interface, Stanford scholar and lawyer Micheal Wara joins the show to prov…

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Spider Sugar FPV 1:05:05

2M ago1:05:05

1:05:05

Send us a text This month we get deeper into the digital microFPV web with Spider Sugar! Known for his mixture of guerilla-whooping adventures and hard-charging concrete and steel bando-bashing, Spider discusses the pros and cons of the 65mm vs 75mm O4 whoops, motor KVs that mystically appeared to him and killed the jello dragon and best of all, ho…

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Episode 232 — Air Combat Survivability Through a POWs Experience 1:00:34

2M ago1:00:34

1:00:34

Episode Summary: This week, The Aerospace Advantage takes a break for Easter, but that doesn't mean our listeners need to take a pause. In this week's episode we reach back to a previously recorded conversation where the Mitchell team reflects on the air war over Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and speaks with combat pilot and POW Lt Col Gene…

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Yes, There Is A Draft Executive Order For Wildfire. Here Is What's In It. Also, Oregon scraps wildfire risk map and Oklahoma Governor wants dissolve wildfire agency. 1:04:40

3M ago1:04:40

1:04:40

On today’s show: To subscribe 👇https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ There have been ongoing discussions about major changes in the wildfire world for some time now. As significant changes are ongoing across the government, we get our first look at a draft executive order regarding a national wildfire service and more. This includes aviation and c…

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Episode 231 — The Future of Uncrewed Airpower: Pilot Perspective 46:32

3M ago46:32

46:32

Episode Summary: As the Air Force develops the operational construct for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, Doug Birkey and Brig Gen Houston "Slider" Cantwell, USAF (Ret.) urge the service to tap into two decades of lessons learned flying highly sophisticated uncrewed aircraft like the MQ-1 Predator, MQ-9 Reaper, RQ-4 Global Hawk, and RQ-170. Harnessin…

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Episode 230 — F-47 Insights, Chinese “Dog Fighting in Space,” and DC Defense Developments: The Rendezvous 1:00:44

3M ago1:00:44

1:00:44

Episode Summary: In this Rendezvous episode, we discuss top Air Force and Space Force developments in Washington, D.C., and beyond. We review key themes from Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman's visit with the Mitchell Institute last week, as well as a broad range of spacepower topics, from Chinese “dogfighting” in space to the new l…

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California’s Growing Fuel And Wildfire Problem. A Conversation With Zeke Lunder. Fuels mitigation and prescribed fire are key to the solution. 1:01:21

3M ago1:01:21

1:01:21

On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Zeke Lunder is a Pyro-geographer. His parents fled the Bay Area for the hillbilly sticks of Northeastern California in the late 1970s, when the timber industry was still a major part of the local economy, and Zeke started working in the woods in high school on a Forest Service c…

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Episode 229 — From EW to ISR: the 55th Wing 55:25

3M ago55:25

55:25

Episode Summary: Heather “Lucky” Penney and Col. Mark "Chili" Howard explore one of the Air Force’s largest, most diverse units: the 55th Wing. Operating from multiple installations, members of the 55th Wing execute everything from the EC-130 and EA-37B Compass Call electronic attack mission to the RC/WC/TC-135 ISR mission and elements of the nucle…

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PizzaDaddyFPV 1:18:08

3M ago1:18:08

1:18:08

Send us a text Don’t forget to tip your delivery driver! This month we welcome PizzaDaddyFPV to the Kwadverse. He has built everything from the cinelifter to the tiny whoops and is well known for his cinematic flights in downtown Denver and the mountains and snowscapes of Colorado. He’s traveled the world with a background and passion for photograp…

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Episode 228 — Remotely Piloted Aircraft in Action: Insights from Air Force RPA Commanders 1:15:36

3M ago1:15:36

1:15:36

Episode Summary: Heather “Lucky” Penney and Senior Fellow Brig Gen Houston "Slider" Cantwell, USAF (Ret.) chat with some of the nation’s top remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) commanders about on-going combat contributions and the Air Force’s future development path for this incredible mission. They are joined by Brig Gen Christopher "Reggie" Hammond,…

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Human Lookouts V.S. The Robots... A 35 Year Lookout Veteran, Zeyn O'Leary Gives His Perspective. 51:49

3M ago51:49

51:49

On Today’s Show: To Subscribe: 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Today, I welcome Zeyn O’Leary, a 35-year veteran fire lookout who has staffed towers since 1991. Zeyn started in the Iron Mountain Lookout on the Willamette National Forest, staffed the Rose Peak Lookout in the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest, and currently staffs the Mt. Pis…

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Episode 227 — Modern Combat Power: It Takes a Weather Advantage 1:00:28

4M ago1:00:28

1:00:28

Episode Summary: Heather “Lucky” Penney and Col Patrick Williams explores one of the most important make-or-break factors in warfare: weather. Environmental conditions control when and how we employ military power…and what enemies can do to us. People tend to take weather assessments for granted, but that’s a mistake. Collecting environmental data,…

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The Continuing Resolution Deadline, Wildfire Pay, And Wildfire Legislation. Senator Tim Sheehy Joins The Show To Discuss It All. Deadline for passage is Friday night. 16:01

4M ago16:01

16:01

On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ With less than 48 hours to pass the Continuing Resolution that locks in base wage increases for wildland firefighters, I welcome Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana to discuss where we are. The House passed the Bill this week, and the Senate is expected to vote on it imminently. Will …

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Episode 226 — AFA Colorado 2025 Recap: Key Takeaways for Air & Space Power 49:41

4M ago49:41

49:41

Episode Summary: The Mitchell Institute team shares insights from the AFA Warfare Symposium, in Aurora, CO—it was the spot for air and space power professionals this week. Hear from Gen Kevin Chilton, USAF (ret), Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (ret), Heather Penney, and Charles Galbreath as they discuss the crucial messages coming from Chief of Space Op…

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Episode 225 — Trump Defense Priorities, Congressional Update, and Ukraine: The Rendezvous 1:07:25

4M ago1:07:25

1:07:25

Episode Summary: In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney chats with members of the Mitchell Institute team about the latest air and space power developments in Washington DC. We explore President Trump’s defense priorities, including recent top defense leadership changes. The team also provides a Ukraine update and assess where defense issues stand…

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Waxless ReduX 1:06:31

4M ago1:06:31

1:06:31

Send us a text Wax is BACK! In this redux episode, we check back in with Waxless as he's made pretty huge moves since starting in FPV, including seshing with the NYC guerrilla whoop gang, getting a feature in FlyTribe with his repair tent at Beast of the East, and just become an all-around legend for helping the micro-FPV community troubleshoot und…

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Golden Eagles Hotshot Justin DeMoss: The Hotshot Wellness Summit. Mental Health On And Off The Fireline. 59:08

4M ago59:08

59:08

On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ I welcome Justin DeMoss, current Golden Eagles Hotshot and of Hotshot Wellness. Justin is a dedicated humanitarian with a passion for improving physical, mental, and spiritual health. His mission is to help individuals achieve a better quality of life through holistic wellness. …

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Episode 224 — Want Combat Airpower? Then Fix the Air Force Pilot Crisis 1:15:30

4M ago1:15:30

1:15:30

Episode Summary: In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney discusses why the Air Force has a chronic pilot shortfall and solutions to solve it with Lt Gen Joseph Guastella, USAF (Ret) and Lt Gen Marc Sasseville, USAF (Ret). Bottom line: the Air Force’s pilot corps is now too small to sustain a healthy combat force that can prevail in a peer conflict …

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Getting Fire Ready: JJ Shelley Discusses The Importance Of Nutrition, Sleep, And Health Awareness On The Fireline. Former Marine Infantryman and Arizona Wildland Firefighter. 1:01:34

4M ago1:01:34

1:01:34

On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ The last time JJ was on the show, we discussed his study on fire lunches and their effects on the wildland firefighters’ bodies. Since then, he has been working with Hotshot Crews and other fire resources to set them up with the optimal plan to maintain nutrition and health pre,…

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Florida's Fire Season Is Here: Dr. Ludie Bond, PIO For The Florida Forest Service, Explains The Current Conditions On The Ground. 30:00

4M ago30:00

30:00

On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Today, I welcome back Dr. Ludie Bond to discuss the already active Florida Fire season. Conditions across Florida are abnormally dry, and forests are starting to see fire activity they would typically see in March. The recent hurricanes also have impacted fuels, with large swath…

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Update On The Positions Lost Over The Last 48 Hours. NPS, DOI, FS. The Agencies have gone dark with all communications. 47:31

4M ago47:31

47:31

On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Nearly 7,000 probationary employees were terminated in the last 48 hours across the land management agencies and park service. This included researchers at the Missoula Fire Lab, trails crews, biologists, and others. The agencies have yet to communicate on the terminations that …

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Episode 223 — Will the Chinese Defense Surge Continue? Insights for 2025 55:35

5M ago55:35

55:35

Episode Summary: In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney discusses the latest Chinese security developments with Mitchell Institute Senior Fellow Mike Dahm. Whether discussing the creation of a new service branch focused on space—the PLA’s Aerospace Force; continued development of their nuclear arsenal; or the “Christmas surprise” flight of multipl…

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"What's That Pink Stuff?" A Conversation With The Vice Chairman Of Perimeter Solutions, The Sole Retardant Contract Company With The USFS. 45:01

5M ago45:01

45:01

On today’s show: To Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ I have a conversation with Eddie Goldberg, Vice Chairman Of Perimeter Solutions. Perimeter Solutions holds the sole contract with the Forest Service for retardants and has operations around the globe. We discuss the testing that retardants undergo, their composition, the safety …

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A New Wildfire Agency, Massive Grant Cuts, And A Hiring Freeze. An update on all three. 46:05

5M ago46:05

46:05

On Today’s Show: To Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ I cover the proposal for the new National Wildfire Fire Service. This has been discussed for decades, and an effort to finally streamline the wildfire bureaucracy now has bipartisan support. It would consolidate all fire agencies under one umbrella. The USDA sent out a policy em…

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Episode 222 — Countering China and Russia in the High North: The Arctic Challenge 51:58

5M ago51:58

51:58

Episode Summary: In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney discusses the rising strategic importance of the Arctic with Maj. Gen. Mark Piper, USAF, NORAD Deputy Director of Operations; BGen James Hawthorne, RCAF, NORAD Deputy Director Strategy, Policy and Plans; and Brig. Gen. Houston Cantwell, USAF (Ret.) of our Mitchell Institute team. With Russia …

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Hiring Freezes, Funding Freezes, Resignation Offers, And Hypocrisy. How We Got To Where We Are Today. Yes, D.O.G.E. took over your Agency. 39:21

5M ago39:21

39:21

On today’s show: To Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ Today, I cover all the wild reforms inside the wildfire agencies over the last week, how they happened, and why. It’s been a whirlwind of policy changes, website deletions, and top-level control of all IT and servers across the Departments. I even got a sneak peek at the current…

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Episode 221 — Will Congress Boost Air and Space Power in 2025? The Rendezvous 59:22

5M ago59:22

59:22

Episode Summary: In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney chats with members of the Mitchell Institute team about air and space power issues through the congressional lens. Not only is Washington DC seeing the arrival of President Trump, but the year is also seeing major changes on Capitol Hill. What will this mean for programs like the F-35, B-21, …

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Moving The Forest Service, A Wildland Firefighter Family Support Program, And Water Bombs. The Fix Our Forests Act 31:20

5M ago31:20

31:20

On today’s show: To Subscribe 👇 https://thehotshotwakeup.substack.com/ I cover the President’s visit to the California wildfires, then dive into the Fix Our Forests Act, which passed the House this week and will likely pass the Senate. Inside this Act is a provision to determine if the Forest Service should be moved to a Western state out of Washin…