• Is culture the only competitive advantage that matters?
    Jan 20 2026

    Summary
    In this episode of Space Insiders, hosts Tony Sewell and Rob Ruyak reflect on their past interviews, focusing on the themes of leadership and culture within the space industry. They discuss the importance of empathy in leadership, emphasizing that it is not merely a soft skill but a strategic advantage that can foster a positive work environment. The conversation highlights insights from various guests, including Kevin Steen and Carsten Drachmann, who stress the significance of understanding team dynamics and the necessity of creating a culture that values collaboration and innovation. The hosts also touch on the challenges of leading in uncertain times and the need for humility and self-awareness in decision-making.

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates
    02:02 Retrospective on Leadership and Culture
    05:26 The Importance of Empathy in Leadership
    16:11 Insights from Kevin Steen on Leadership
    27:06 Cultural Challenges in the Space Industry
    31:33 The Uniqueness of Company Culture
    32:44 Intentional Leadership and Accountability
    39:27 Lessons from Military Leadership
    45:29 The Importance of Humility in Leadership
    49:12 Embracing Diverse Perspectives
    53:12 Courage in Decision Making

    Space Insiders Team
    Email: info@spaceinsiders.show
    LinkedIn (Show)
    LinkedIn (Tony)
    LinkedIn (Rob)

    Disclaimer
    The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization or employer.

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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • From legacy to launch - 2025 Reflections on software, data, and funding
    Jan 6 2026

    Summary
    In this conversation, Tony and Rob reflect on their experiences from interviews over the past year, discussing key themes such as the software revolution, the data revolution, and the challenges of navigating the capital landscape. They highlight the importance of entrepreneurship, sustainability, and the need for global collaboration in the evolving space market. The discussion also emphasizes the significance of execution and understanding customer needs in building successful space ventures.

    Chapters
    00:00 New Beginnings and Reflections
    04:19 The Software Revolution in Space
    19:13 The Data Revolution and Non-Earth Imaging
    27:21 Challenges and Innovations in Space Startups
    29:29 Global Collaboration and Data Democratization in Space
    34:12 The Role of Standards in Geospatial Data
    40:18 Funding Challenges in the Space Industry
    48:23 Execution and International Business in Space
    52:35 Customer Orientation and Problem Solving in Space Ventures

    Space Insiders Team
    Email: info@spaceinsiders.show
    LinkedIn (Show)
    LinkedIn (Tony)
    LinkedIn (Rob)

    Disclaimer
    The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization or employer.

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    58 mins
  • How you you lead a Geospatial Revolution? Nadine Alameh
    Dec 16 2025

    Summary
    In this conversation, Nadine Alameh, the first female CEO of the Open Geospatial Consortium, shares her journey into the geospatial field and discusses the transformative impact of AI on geospatial technology. The discussion covers the importance of standards and interoperability in disaster response, the role of startups in driving innovation, and the key skills needed for future professionals in the geospatial sector. Nadine also highlights the policy challenges facing the industry and her mission with her new venture to help governments and startups leverage geospatial data effectively.

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates
    02:22 Curiosity and Learning in the Digital Age
    05:23 Spotlight on Nadine Alame
    08:14 SpaceX Developments and Industry News
    09:12 Introduction to the Podcast and Its Goals
    09:12 Nadine Alame's Journey into Geospatial
    15:26 The Role of the Open Geospatial Consortium
    19:35 Real-World Applications of Geospatial Standards
    24:48 The Impact of AI on Geospatial Standards
    28:37 Exciting Opportunities in Startups and Technology
    32:16 The Evolution of Skills in Geospatial Entrepreneurship
    39:43 Navigating the Challenges of Geospatial Modernization
    45:16 Policy Challenges and Opportunities in Geospatial
    48:28 Mapping the Future: Aspirations Beyond Earth

    Lunate.ai
    LinkedIn (Nadine Alameh)
    LunateAI

    Space Insiders Team
    Email: info@spaceinsiders.show
    LinkedIn (Show)
    LinkedIn (Tony)
    LinkedIn (Rob)

    Disclaimer
    The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization or employer.

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    53 mins
  • What does it take to turnaround a space company to 10x growth? With Carsten Drachmann, GOMSpace
    Dec 2 2025

    Summary
    In this conversation, Carsten Drachmann, CEO of GOM Space, shares insights on leadership, the importance of people in business, and the evolving landscape of the space industry. He discusses the strategic shifts within GOM Space, focusing on customer-centric solutions and the growing market for small satellites. Carsten emphasizes the need for agility in smaller companies and the importance of building trust with customers. He also reflects on the challenges and opportunities in the global market, particularly in the U.S. and emerging regions.

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to GOM Space and Carsten Drachmann
    11:00 Leadership and Turnaround Strategies
    14:21 Building Trust and Company Culture
    17:05 Market Focus and Strategic Changes
    19:57 Navigating Global Markets and Competition
    22:57 Opportunities in Southeast Asia and the US
    26:03 Customer-Centric Solutions in Space Technology
    31:03 Customer-Centric Strategies in Business
    33:48 Evolving Business Models in the Space Industry
    40:11 Future Growth and Strategic Vision for GOM Space
    43:39 Cultural Insights and Personal Reflections in the Space Sector

    GOMSpace
    LinkedIn (Carsten Drachmann)
    GOMSpace
    GomSpace Group (GOMX), NASDAQ

    Space Insiders Team
    Email: info@spaceinsiders.show
    LinkedIn (Show)
    LinkedIn (Tony)
    LinkedIn (Rob)

    Disclaimer
    The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization or employer.

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    50 mins
  • How should founders think about alternate funding? Patrick Johnson, Silicon Valley Bank
    Nov 18 2025

    Summary
    In this conversation, Patrick Johnson, managing director at Silicon Valley Bank, shares insights into his role in supporting startups, his career journey, and the unique challenges faced by the startup ecosystem, particularly in the space industry. He emphasizes the importance of building partnerships, asking for help, and the evolving landscape of funding strategies for startups. Patrick also discusses the significance of mentorship and the dynamics of startup ecosystems, providing valuable advice for founders navigating their entrepreneurial journeys.

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates
    03:11 Interview with Patrick Johnson
    06:09 Industry News and Developments
    07:09 Patrick Johnson's Role at Silicon Valley Bank
    16:34 Career Journey and Transition to Startups
    22:25 Funding Options for Startups
    23:31 The Shift in Funding Dynamics
    24:19 Unique Challenges in the Space Industry
    26:23 Communicating Your Startup's Value Proposition
    26:47 Building Relationships in the Startup Ecosystem
    28:14 Key Metrics for Startup Success
    29:33 Current Climate for Startup Funding
    31:22 The AI Investment Boom
    33:29 Emerging Trends in Space and Defense Tech
    36:23 Building Effective Ecosystems for Startups
    36:48 Advice for Startup Founders
    40:19 Underappreciated Resources for Founders
    42:24 The Importance of Mentorship
    46:38 Conclusion and Future Endeavors
    47:04 Favorite Movies About Banking

    Silicon Valley Bank
    LinkedIn (Patrick Johnson)
    Silicon Valley Bank

    Space Insiders Team
    Email: info@spaceinsiders.show
    LinkedIn (Show)
    LinkedIn (Tony)
    LinkedIn (Rob)

    Disclaimer
    The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization or employer.

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    53 mins
  • Are we ready for space data centers? - Avi Shabtai, Ramon Space
    Nov 4 2025

    Summary
    In this conversation, Avi Shabtai, CEO of Ramon Space, discusses the evolution of the company and the broader space industry. He highlights the importance of innovation, resilience, and strategic global expansion in the tech sector, particularly in Israel. The discussion covers the shift towards data-driven space operations, the challenges of building infrastructure in orbit, and the future potential of space data centers. Avi emphasizes the need for a mindset that embraces risk and unconstrained thinking to drive innovation.

    Chapters
    03:02 The Journey of Ramon Space
    05:29 Unconstrained Thinking in Leadership
    05:40 The Evolution of Ramon Space
    08:08 Israel's Innovation Ecosystem
    10:58 Global Expansion Strategies
    13:56 Data Centers in Space
    16:53 Technical Challenges and Future Outlook
    27:29 The Future of Satellite Technology
    29:18 Overcoming Industry Challenges
    31:29 Innovative Companies in Space
    34:31 Potential Applications of Space Infrastructure
    38:21 The Mindset of Innovation
    42:32 Vision for the Future of Ramon Space

    Ramon Space
    LinkedIn (Avi Shabtai)
    Ramon Space

    Space Insiders Team
    Email: info@spaceinsiders.show
    LinkedIn (Show)
    LinkedIn (Tony)
    LinkedIn (Rob)

    Disclaimer
    The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization or employer.

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    48 mins
  • F1 to Orbit - The race to digitize space
    Oct 21 2025

    Summary
    In this conversation, Tony Sewell and Rob Ruyak engage with Alvaro Alonso Ruiz, co-founder of LeanSpace, discussing the evolution of the space industry, the challenges posed by legacy systems, and the importance of software innovation. Alvaro shares insights on the cultural and operational diversity within the industry, the transition from traditional to modern software solutions, and the entrepreneurial journey of LeanSpace. The discussion highlights the need for modernization in space operations, the role of new space companies, and the impact of global events on business models. Alvaro emphasizes the importance of education in the space sector and the potential for software to drive significant change in the industry.

    Chapters
    00:00 Alvaro Ruiz's Journey to LeanSpace
    18:18 The State of the Space Industry
    25:34 LeanSpace's Innovative Approach
    31:37 Challenges in the Space Software Market
    40:11 Future Opportunities for LeanSpace

    Alvaro Alonso Ruiz
    LinkedIn (Alvaro)
    Leanspace

    Space Insiders Team
    Email: info@spaceinsiders.show
    LinkedIn (Show)
    LinkedIn (Tony)
    LinkedIn (Rob)

    Disclaimer
    The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization or employer.

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    50 mins
  • “Leadership or Management—Do You Know the Difference?” - Perspectives on leadership from Kevin Steen
    Oct 7 2025

    Summary
    In this conversation, Kevin Steen discusses the critical role of leadership in business, particularly in navigating acquisitions and fostering a positive corporate culture. He emphasizes the importance of empathy, mentorship, and personal growth in developing effective leaders. The discussion also explores the unique challenges faced by leaders in startups compared to larger organizations, as well as the evolving dynamics within the space industry. Steen shares insights on building relationships with boards and the impact of experience on leadership effectiveness, concluding with thoughts on the future of leadership in the commercial space sector.

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Backgrounds
    07:36 The Importance of Leadership vs Management
    11:02 Empathy in Leadership
    13:09 The Role of Mentorship in Leadership
    18:10 Advocacy and Support in Leadership
    23:15 Navigating Startups and Company Culture
    29:34 Transitioning Between Large Companies and Startups
    30:32 The Correlation Between Experience and Leadership
    35:06 The Importance of Mentorship in Leadership
    37:40 Navigating Leadership Challenges
    41:54 Understanding Board Relationships
    47:02 Leadership in the Evolving Space Industry

    Kevin Steen
    LinkedIn (Kevin)

    Space Insiders Team
    Email: info@spaceinsiders.show
    LinkedIn (Show)
    LinkedIn (Tony)
    LinkedIn (Rob)

    Disclaimer
    The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization or employer.

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    57 mins