This Episode:

Garrett and Simon break down a busy week across defense, geopolitics, and venture capital. They cover the continued surge of mega-rounds in defense tech, why the market feels unusually frothy heading into 2026, and what these investment patterns signal for startups, primes, and buyers.

On the geopolitical front, they discuss the recent U.S. strikes against Venezuelan cartel targets and what it may indicate about future policy posture in the Western Hemisphere. They also touch on shifting dynamics in Europe and how great-power competition continues to shape U.S. defense priorities.

The episode wraps with a look at how government behavior, market cycles, and emerging threats are all converging to create one of the most complex operating environments the defense sector has seen in years.

00:00- Christmas Banter, Rip Its, and Holiday Chaos

03:00- The Battle Lab & Why Real-World Testing Matters

06:00- Venezuela Strikes, A Warning Shot or Something Bigger?

12:30- China, Taiwan, and What “Deterrence” Really Means

18:30- Frothy Venture Markets & 2025’s Mega-Rounds

25:30- Can Defense Startups Scale? Primes vs. New Primes

32:00- SBIR Reauthorization Delays & What It Means for Startups

37:00- NDAA, Full-Year CR Risks & Closing Thoughts

Our Podcast:

National security, defense tech, and geopolitics; serious topics, but that doesn’t mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare.

Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take, because let’s be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo.

Listen on other platforms:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mTJ1oJEgB3rCbQouCL7XD?si=9b2647b843144469

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/goat-rodeo/id1801310605

YouTube: youtube.com/@GoatRodeoPodcast