From combat zones to disaster response, LTG Jeff Buchanan has spent his life leading teams through chaos. In this conversation, he reflects on the moral dimensions of leadership, lessons from national crises, and why clarity of purpose matters most when the situation is murky. His stories blend humility and hard-earned wisdom—reminding us that great leadership begins with character, not rank.

Colonel David Acosta – Army Reserve Brigade Commander, Naval Postgraduate School Professor, and publisher of The Ghost Post – joins Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker to explore the evolution of Information Operations and the cognitive dimension of modern conflict. Drawing on decades of service from Bosnia and Iraq to the Pentagon, Dave shares lessons on influence, deception, and leadership in the information environment. He also reflects on the intersection of academia, military practice, and emerging technologies shaping how the U.S. approaches information warfare today.

Boyd Brown – Army veteran, defense executive, entrepreneur, and one of the U.S. Army’s first Information Operations (IO) officers – joins Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker to discuss the evolution of influence, innovation, and leadership on the modern battlefield. From early IO missions in the Balkans and Iraq to his work in government contracting and national security, Boyd reflects on lessons learned across four decades of service. He shares insights on emerging technologies like AI and drones, the future of IO in defense strategy, and how leaders can adapt to complex, fast-changing environments.

Dr. Andrew Whiskeyman, retired U.S. Army Colonel and national security scholar, joins Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker for a thought-provoking conversation on trust, technology, and the cognitive battlefield. Drawing on decades of military and academic experience, Andrew explores how artificial intelligence, disinformation, and fractured media ecosystems are reshaping both warfare and daily life. He discusses the dangers of over-reliance on technology, the erosion of societal trust, and the moral questions emerging at the intersection of human and machine decision-making. Together, we unpack why all warfare is ultimately cognitive—and why the ability to discern truth has become a national defense imperative. This episode offers a candid, deeply reflective look at how leaders can navigate complexity, preserve trust, and defend meaning in the digital age.

Michelle Norman, Executive Director and Founder of Partners in PROMISE, shares her journey from Navy spouse and mother of a child with cerebral palsy to national advocate for exceptional military families. She discusses the challenges of navigating EFMP and special education systems, her experience testifying before Congress, and her vision for stronger support networks and policies that ensure military children with special needs can thrive.

With three decades in special operations aviation and leadership, Jim Cardoso brings hard-earned wisdom to the conversation on modern warfare and national security. From commanding the Air Force’s first CV-22 Osprey squadron to earning the Silver Star for a daring combat rescue, his career reflects both courage and innovation. In this episode of Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker, he shares the experiences that shaped his service, the evolving challenges of warfare, and how technology is redefining global security. Listeners will also gain practical advice for the next generation of defense professionals navigating today’s complex security landscape.

Warfare is evolving faster than ever, and few voices are better positioned to explain its trajectory than Dr. Amos C. Fox—Professor at Arizona State University’s Future Security Initiative, Managing Editor of Small Wars Journal, and host of the Revolution in Military Affairs podcast. In this episode of Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker, he reflects on his own journey of service, the experiences that shaped his perspective, and the challenges he’s overcome. We dive into how war has changed over the past two decades, the role of emerging technologies in defense, and the national security issues that keep him up at night, while also exploring his candid advice for the next generation of leaders preparing to navigate today’s complex security landscape.

In this episode of “Tipping Spears”, I sit down with Col. Nicole Malachowski (USAF, Ret.) - a trailblazing fighter pilot, combat veteran, squadron commander, and the first woman selected to fly with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. A 2019 National Women’s Hall of Fame inductee and former White House Fellow, Nicole’s career spans over two decades of service, leadership, and breaking barriers. Nicole opens up about her journey from aspiring aviator to Thunderbird pilot, insights for navigating a battle you didn’t choose, and the lessons learned from both triumphs and setbacks.

In this episode of Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker, I sit down with Dr. Kyleanne Hunter - CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). A former Marine Corps AH-1W Super Cobra attack pilot with multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Dr. Hunter has dedicated her career to service, leadership, and advancing policies that strengthen the post-9/11 veteran community. In this episode, Dr. Hunter shares her personal journey of military service, the challenges and triumphs of advocacy, and her insights on the future of our veteran community. We discuss misconceptions about post-9/11 veterans, the top issues facing Global War on Terror veterans, and IAVA’s legislative priorities shaping policies.

In this episode of Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker, I sit down with James Schmeling, President and CEO of the National Defense University Foundation and U.S. Air Force veteran. With more than 25 years of leadership in nonprofits and higher education, James shares his journey from military service to leading one of the nation’s premier defense education foundations. We discuss the mission and impact of the NDU Foundation, how philanthropy strengthens national security education, and the trends shaping today’s defense environment. James also offers insights on the transformative role of nonprofits in supporting veterans, the importance of cross-sector partnerships, and why he’s optimistic about the next generation of leaders.

In this episode of Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker, I sit down with Ben Connable, PhD—Executive Director of the Battle Research Group, adjunct professor at Georgetown, retired U.S. Marine Corps intelligence officer, and former RAND senior political scientist. Drawing on decades of experience in combat operations, strategy, and research, Ben unpacks lessons from his book Ground Combat: Puncturing the Myths of Modern War, the founding of the Battle Research Group, and the role of counter-UAS technologies on today’s battlefield. He shares candid insights on defense innovation, the importance of field research, and how future national security leaders can cultivate the critical thinking skills needed to navigate the complexities of modern warfare.

In this episode of Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker, COL Chip Bircher, USA (Ret.)—Chief Technology Officer and Acting Head of Sales at SOFTwarfare®—joins me to discuss his journey from ROTC to 28 years of Army service and into the cybersecurity sector. As a former senior leader in strategic communication, information operations, and electronic warfare, Chip shares insights on the rise of cognitive warfare, lessons from commanding information campaigns in Afghanistan, and how technology is reshaping both national security and business. He also offers perspective on today’s most pressing cyber threats, emerging innovations, and the skills future leaders need to succeed in the evolving landscape of defense and cybersecurity.

In this gripping episode of Tipping Spears, Tanner Yackley—a former MQ-9 Reaper Sensor Operator turned mental health advocate—opens up about the invisible wounds of drone warfare. From flying combat missions in the Global War on Terror to pioneering trauma resources through his Remote Warrior initiative, Tanner shares his deeply personal and professionally informed insights on Complex PTSD, moral injury, and what we must do to support a generation of digital-era veterans.

In this episode of Tipping Spears, Brig. Gen. Chad Raduege, USAF (Ret.) unpacks nearly three decades of frontline leadership in cyber and national security. From responding to the Oklahoma City bombing to leading global communications for the U.S. European Command, he offers hard-won lessons on resilience, innovation, and trust. Whether you're defending networks or shaping policy, Chad’s insights will challenge how you think about leadership in the digital age.

In this powerful episode of Tipping Spears, LTC (Ret.) Scott Mann—Green Beret, storyteller, and author of Nobody is Coming to Save You—opens up about leadership, the emotional toll of Afghanistan’s withdrawal, and the power of storytelling in a divided world. An authentic, timely conversation about service, purpose, and human connection.

In this episode of Tipping Spears, Dr. Ben Zweibelson—Army veteran, military strategist, and author of Reconceptualizing War—joins Hannah Becker for a deep dive into modern warfare, paradigm shifts, and why defense innovation requires more than just new tech. A must-listen for leaders navigating the evolving security landscape.

In this episode of Tipping Spears, Hannah Becker speaks with Brian Russell—a career warfighter turned thought leader in cyber and information warfare. With 27 years of distinguished service in the United States Marine Corps, including multiple combat deployments and commands, Brian brings hard-won insight to the rapidly evolving landscape of digital conflict and national security. Brian's journey reflects the transformation of warfare itself—from kinetic to cognitive. He offers experienced insights on how leaders should adapt to complex threats and what it takes to stay ahead in the Information Age.

In this episode of Tipping Spears, Hannah Becker speaks with Dr. Melissa Graves—Associate Professor and Department Chair of Intelligence and Security Studies at The Citadel—about the evolving landscape of intelligence and national security. From Watergate fascination to shaping the next generation of intelligence professionals, Dr. Graves shares her unique journey and interdisciplinary perspective. With insights on ethics, artificial intelligence, and the future of the intelligence community, she challenges us to think critically about power, transparency, and technology. Whether you're a student of history or a national security professional, this episode delivers thought-provoking commentary and practical wisdom.

In this episode of Tipping Spears, Hannah Becker sits down with Marcus “Marc” Sachs—retired U.S. Army officer, cybersecurity pioneer, and Chief Engineer at the Center for Internet Security. From ham radio to the White House, Marc shares how his military roots and technical passion shaped a groundbreaking career in cyber defense. He reflects on major cyber incidents, lessons learned, and the future of cyber-informed engineering for national security. This conversation offers rare insight from one of the architects of modern cybersecurity—don’t miss it.

In this episode of Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker, retired Green Beret Michael “Rod” Rodriguez shares his journey from Special Forces sniper instructor to President & CEO of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation. With ten combat deployments and decades of service, Rod reflects on leadership, sacrifice, and honoring America’s longest war. He offers powerful insight into veteran resilience, national remembrance, and finding purpose after service. A must-listen for anyone connected to the post-9/11 military experience.