Voices from DARPA

DARPA

DARPA’s podcast series, "Voices from DARPA," offers a revealing and informative window on the minds of the Agency's program managers. In each episode, a program manager from one of DARPA’s six technical offices—Biological Technologies, Defense Sciences, Information Processing Techniques, Multi X, Strategic Technology, and Tactical Technology—will discuss in informal and personal terms why they are at DARPA and what they are up to. The goal of "Voices from DARPA" is to share with listeners some of the institutional know-how, vision, process, and history that together make the “secret sauce” DARPA has been adding to the Nation’s innovation ecosystem for nearly 70 years. On another level, we at DARPA just wanted to share the pleasure we all have every day—in the elevator, in the halls, in our meeting rooms—as we learn from each other and swap ideas and strive to change what’s possible.

  1. 3 days ago

    The Accidental Chemist: Episode 95

    What new capabilities can we unlock by understanding how to rearrange the building blocks of matter? At some time in our lives, most of us have learned that matter is made of molecules, molecules are made of atoms, and atoms are made of protons, electrons, and neutrons. But what’s less commonly learned is what’s going on inside those atoms and molecules, such as when a bond breaks or internal components are rearranged through a chemical reaction. In this episode, we sit down with Keith Whitener, Ph.D., a program manager in DARPA’s Defense Sciences Office (DSO), who discusses the inner workings of reaction mechanisms and how atoms and molecules behave at the smallest possible levels. In this episode we discuss how key mentors influenced Keith’s career as a physical chemist, how his stent as a Jeopardy champion connects to his DARPA work, and how his DARPA program portfolio tackles some of the military’s largest operational and logistics problems: SeREne: Aims to make explosives safer to handle and tunable on the flyHNO3: Aims to eliminate a supply chain risk by enabling high-efficiency production of nitric acid directly from air and waterExCURSion: Aims to bypass fuel supply line challenges by generating energy at point of needExPEDitions: Aims to create a new chemistry for electrically rechargeable batteries to have both the power and energy density of carbon-based fuel As promised, you can match wits against Keith by reading through a fan-created archive of Jeopardy appearances, including all the questions and answers for the episodes in which he competed. Music in this podcast episode includes an excerpt of “Tuesday (Groove)” composed by Keith Whitener, available on his legacy personal website.

  2. 12 Jun

    The Economics Aficionado: Episode 94

    What if we could turn economic complexity into strategic understanding?  In this episode, we sit down with David Rushing Dewhurst, Ph.D., a program manager in DARPA\'s Information Processing Techniques Office, IPTO. Dewhurst works at the complex intersection of economics, data science, and national security to develop tools that help America navigate a world where economic competition has become a primary battlefield.  Dewhurst shares his unconventional path to the agency and takes us through two of his programs:  Anticipatory and Adaptive Anti-Money Laundering, A3ML: An innovative program that aims to eliminate global money laundering by treating it as an economic supply-and-demand problem, while preserving privacy through a decentralized approach.  National Security Economic Theory, NASCENT: A program focused on establishing a principled theoretical foundation for geoeconomics and building generic playbooks for economic statecraft.  Tune in to discover how Dewhurst is redefining the tools of economic statecraft to prevent pan-domain strategic surprise.

  3. 20 May

    What's in a Name? Episode 93

    What does it take to solve the world's most urgent national security and economic challenges? At DARPA, it starts with questioning past assumptions. In this episode, we go behind the scenes of a major organizational pivot to hear directly from the office leaders driving the change.  We unpack the "why" behind the new names on the doors of two tech offices:  The Multi X Office (MXO): Formerly the Microsystems Technology Office (MTO), MXO is breaking down the walls between physics, chemistry, biology, and materials science. Learn how this integrated approach aims to secure critical supply chains and build resilient physical capabilities.  The Information Processing Techniques Office (IPTO): Reaching back to a legendary name from DARPA’s history, the former Information Innovation Office (I2O) is focusing on the first principles of computational power and resiliency that will be required to invent the next forward-looking breakthrough technologies for national security.  Listen in to hear how DARPA is retooling its strategy, embracing massive scale, and transforming its structure to secure America's future.  MXO IPTO Smash Promethean Clay Crystal Palace IPTO history

  4. 21 Apr

    From Cold Call to Critical Care: Episode 92

    BTO Program Manager Lt. Col. Adam Willis, M.D., U.S. Air Force, joins Voices from DARPA to share his remarkable journey from a ROTC physics major to a leading innovator in military medicine. Dr. Willis discusses how a desire to apply science to help people led him down the dual paths of a Ph.D. in theoretical and appliled mechanics and a medical degree with a focus on neurology. He recounts the moment a demonstration of the DARPA-funded Revolutionizing Prosthetics program sparked his interest, leading him to cold-email a military doctor and future mentor, Col. Geoffrey Ling, who gave him a simple, life-changing piece of advice. In this episode, Dr. Willis explains his work on groundbreaking programs like Golden Hour Evacuation (GOLDEVAC) and Making Anatomical Sense of Hemorrhage (MASH), which aim to revolutionize battlefield medicine by bringing critical care capabilities directly to the point of injury. He details his vision for an "ICU in a box" and autonomous surgical tools that could save countless lives when evacuation to a surgeon isn't possible. He also shares his unique perspective as a "Rosetta Stone," translating complex medical challenges into the language of physics and engineering to find novel solutions.

    31 min

  5. 2 Apr

    From Blockbuster to Biotech Breakthroughs - Episode 91

    It started with a movie. It led to a mission. In this episode of "Voices from DARPA," we sit down with Michael Feasel, Ph.D., a program manager in the Biological Technologies Office, to discuss his extraordinary journey to the forefront of American innovation. From a pre-med student who found his calling in an inorganic chemistry class, to career inspiration from a Nicolas Cage film, Mike's path was anything but conventional. He shares how a chance Thanksgiving conversation launched his career in chemical and biological defense, and how he was later recruited to DARPA. Mike offers a unique look inside the agency, detailing the challenges of managing programs far outside his initial expertise and the incredible impact of fostering world-changing ideas. Discover the story behind his Protean program, which aims to revolutionize how we counter chemical threats, and hear his reflections on what makes DARPA a one-of-a-kind place for innovators. Related Content: DEVCOM Chemical Biological Center ABC Hermes RIDDL

    20 min

  6. 5 Mar

    A DARPA Debrief - Episode 90

    What happens after you've worked on projects that could change the world? We go beyond the cutting-edge technology and "secret labs" to explore the most vital part of DARPA's mission: its people. Six former Program Managers discuss their experiences and what comes after a tour of duty at the agency. They share their initial anxieties, the challenges of working on projects outside their expertise, and the unique culture of support and urgency that defines DARPA. Discover how they transitioned from the agency back to the private and public sectors, and how their time at DARPA continues to shape their careers and the future of technology www.darpa.mil/careers

    35 min

  7. 22/09/2025

    AIxCC: AI Cyber Challenge - Episode 89

    The AI Cyber Challenge, AIxCC, marks a pivotal inflection point for cyber defense. Numerous attacks in recent years have illuminated the ability for malicious cyber actors to exploit vulnerable software that runs everything from financial systems and public utilities to the health care ecosystem. AIxCC Competitors successfully demonstrated the ability of novel autonomous systems using AI to secure the open-source software that underlies critical infrastructure, with winners revealed at DEF CON 33. Hear from DARPA and ARPA-H on the game-changing results the competitors achieved. And although the competition is over, the challenge continues. All seven finalist teams’ CRSs have been made available as open-source software under a license approved by the Open Source Initiative. Hear from teams on their experiences through the competition and how they are moving their systems to the real world. LINKS: Competition website Finalist teams Open source archive Information Innovation Office ARPA-H Resilient Systems Office

    18 min

  8. 31/07/2025

    The Idea Pollinators: DARPA Service Chiefs Fellows - Episode 88

    The Service Chiefs Fellows connect their operational insights with potential DARPA breakthroughs. We explore DARPA’s Service Chiefs Fellowship Program (SCFP), a 12-week immersive experience that brings together participants from various backgrounds across the Department of Defense (DOD) and other U.S. agencies. Its dual core purposes are to educate future leaders from military services and other agencies, helping them "infuse some of the DARPA magic into their home base," and to inform DARPA program managers and performers, many of whom lack military or government backgrounds, about the mission and the needs of current warfighters. This blending of ideas fosters new connections and can even lead participants to return to the agency, as exemplified by Rob McHenry, DARPA's current Deputy Director and the agency’s first Service Chiefs Fellow. As part of DARPA’s broader strategy to engage the U.S. military and other U.S. government partners, the SCFP helps ensure vital ideas take root and flourish where they are most needed. Service Chiefs Fellowship Program webpage Biological Technologies Office (BTO) Information Innovation Office (I2O) Mission-Integrated Network Control (MINC) Dr. Michael Feasel (BTO program manager) Commercial Strategy Office

    16 min
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About

DARPA’s podcast series, "Voices from DARPA," offers a revealing and informative window on the minds of the Agency's program managers. In each episode, a program manager from one of DARPA’s six technical offices—Biological Technologies, Defense Sciences, Information Processing Techniques, Multi X, Strategic Technology, and Tactical Technology—will discuss in informal and personal terms why they are at DARPA and what they are up to. The goal of "Voices from DARPA" is to share with listeners some of the institutional know-how, vision, process, and history that together make the “secret sauce” DARPA has been adding to the Nation’s innovation ecosystem for nearly 70 years. On another level, we at DARPA just wanted to share the pleasure we all have every day—in the elevator, in the halls, in our meeting rooms—as we learn from each other and swap ideas and strive to change what’s possible.

Information

  • Creator
    DARPA
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    103
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Voices from DARPA
  • Show Website
    Voices from DARPA

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