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Ripple E-ffects

Center for Strategic and International Studies

Ripple E-ffects examines how technology redraws the contours of power, economics, and national security. Host Navin Thukkaram engages technology pioneers, national security experts, and business leaders in precise conversations that seek to separate signal from noise. Monthly episodes deliver insights on the trends likely to impact our everyday lives.

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  • 20 episodes
  • Avg 29 min
  • English

Episodes 20

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  • April 22 · 23 min

    Powering the AI Economy

    In this episode, Navin is joined by Ryan Goodman, CEO of Scale Microgrids, to discuss how rising electricity demand, data centers, and a strained U.S. grid are reshaping America’s energy future.

  • Sep 4, 2025 · 24 min

    Fixing Medicare Enrollment with AI

    Navin is joined by Cobi Blumenfeld-Gantz, co-founder and CEO of Chapter, the fastest-growing Medicare advisory in the United States. Cobi shares how Chapter helps millions of Americans navigate the complex world of Medicare, the innovative ways they use AI to simplify healthcare decisions, and his vision for rethinking retirement so people can live healthier, wealthier, and more purposeful lives.

  • Jul 28, 2025 · 27 min

    A Conversation on Tech, Science, and Athletics

    Dr. Aron D’Souza joins the podcast to discuss his career across law, finance, and technology, as well as his role as the founder of the Enhanced Games. He shares the story behind the initiative and offers his perspective on innovation in sport, the future of human performance, and the broader implications for public policy and technology.

  • Jun 18, 2025 · 26 min

    AI Will Happen by You or to You

    In this episode, Navin talks with Stuart Wall, CEO and Co-founder of Setpoint, a fintech company reshaping the asset-backed lending industry. Stu reflects on his entrepreneurial upbringing, competitive chess background, and the lessons learned from past failures. He also explains how Setpoint is using AI to automate complex loan agreements—making credit markets faster, more transparent, and more efficient. Prior to founding Setpoint, Stuart founded Signpost.com, a purpose-built CRM for service businesses, which he scaled to over 300 employees before. He began his career in Bain & Company’s Private Equity Group, where he evaluated multi-billion-dollar buyouts and developed deep expertise in financial operations. Stuart earned his MBA with Distinction from Harvard Business School and holds a BS in Finance from Miami University. He was named one of Glassdoor’s Top 25 North American CEOs in 2016 and shares insights on fintech and digital infrastructure with outlets like TechCrunch and Forbes.

  • Apr 24, 2025 · 35 min

    Balan Ayyar: Impacting National Security with A.I.

    In this episode, Navin is joined by Balan Ayyar, retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General and the Founder and CEO of percipient.ai. They discuss Balan’s deep military experience, how the commercial sector ensures U.S. defense capabilities, and if A.I. can benefit society. Prior to leading percipient.ai, Balan served in the U.S. Air Force, including serving as Commanding General of the Combined Joint Interagency Task Force 435, in Kabul, Afghanistan. After retiring, he served as CEO of a $100M+ government services IT firm before founding percipient.ai, an artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision firm dedicated to intelligence and national security efforts.

  • S1 · E1
    Mar 26, 2025 · 33 min

    Jordan Blashek: Leveraging AI for America’s Future

    Navin is joined by Jordan Blashek, a U.S. Marine veteran, investor, and co-founder of America’s Frontier Fund. They discuss how the U.S. military uses AI on the battlefield, accelerating the R&D cycle to bring critical technologies to market, and the importance of public-private partnerships to bolster U.S. competitiveness. Blashek is the co-founder and managing partner of AFF, a mission-driven fund investing in frontier technologies that are vital to U.S. competitiveness on the global stage. His perspective on innovation and investing in America’s future evolved during his service with the U.S. Marine Corps, seeing first hand how critical technology like artificial intelligence can influence communications and intelligence operations across the board.

  • Mar 19, 2025 · 45 sec

    Introducing Ripple E-ffects

    Introducing Ripple E-ffects, the latest podcast from CSIS. Ripple E-ffects examines how technology redraws the contours of power, economics and national security.

  • Nov 18, 2022 · 24 min

    “Good Things Take Time” with Kevin Ryan

    Navin is joined by Kevin Ryan, Founder and CEO at AlleyCorp to talk about the evolving media landscape, the future of investing, and an optimistic outlook for startups in the healthcare industry.

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes