Rylan Hamilton, the founder of BLUE WATER AUTONOMY, shares his gritty story with Ravin and Al. Rylan started off in the Navy, then went to Harvard Business School, and founded 6 River Systems which he sold to Shopify for $450M. He went on to raise $65M for Blue Water Autonomy with Google Ventures as the lead. The episode drills into the future of war, the effort to curb spending, the use of AI in the military, and how the military helps build character.

NOTE: Al and Ravin want to thanks Alex Goldstein for his technical assistance with processing this episode!

Disclaimer: The Forged in America podcast features personal stories, experiences, and opinions from hosts Al Goldstein and Ravin Gandhi. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not investment advice, financial advice, solicitation of investments, or any form of professional recommendation.We strive for accuracy, but mistakes can happen and are unintentional. Nothing discussed should be relied upon for making financial, business, or personal decisions. Always consult qualified professionals before acting on anything you hear.Past performance or results mentioned do not guarantee future outcomes. Listeners are responsible for their own choices.

Lior Div, who raised over $1B in founding Cybereason and 7AI, shares his insights with Ravin and Al on the intersection of cybersecurity and AI, emphasizing the importance of innovation in the face of evolving cyber threats.

He discusses his background in the elite 8200 unit of the IDF and how it has shaped his entrepreneurial journey in the tech industry. The discussion also highlights Israel's unique position as a leader in cybersecurity innovation and the challenges that lie ahead for companies in this rapidly changing landscape.

They delve into Israel's high rate of startup founders, including the role of military training and cultural differences in talent selection. They discuss the evolution of the cybersecurity landscape, the integration of AI into business models, and the implications of dyslexia on personal success. The conversation touches on the future of education, the impact of crypto on cybersecurity, and the recent intelligence failures in Israel.

Disclaimer: The Forged in America podcast features personal stories, experiences, and opinions from hosts Al Goldstein and Ravin Gandhi. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not investment advice, financial advice, solicitation of investments, or any form of professional recommendation.We strive for accuracy, but mistakes can happen and are unintentional. Nothing discussed should be relied upon for making financial, business, or personal decisions. Always consult qualified professionals before acting on anything you hear.Past performance or results mentioned do not guarantee future outcomes. Listeners are responsible for their own choices.

In E16, Ravin and Al interview Edward Woodford, founder and CEO of ZeroHash, discussing his journey from the UK to the US, the founding of ZeroHash, and the evolution of the crypto landscape.

Edward shares insights on the importance of stablecoins, the infrastructure behind crypto transactions, and the future of digital assets. He emphasizes the need for usability in the crypto space and the potential for stablecoins to revolutionize financial transactions globally.

Woodford also shares insights on self-custody versus custodial solutions, the significance of hashrate in the Bitcoin ecosystem, and highlights influential figures in the crypto industry.

Disclaimer: The Forged in America podcast features personal stories, experiences, and opinions from hosts Al Goldstein and Ravin Gandhi. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not investment advice, financial advice, solicitation of investments, or any form of professional recommendation.We strive for accuracy, but mistakes can happen and are unintentional. Nothing discussed should be relied upon for making financial, business, or personal decisions. Always consult qualified professionals before acting on anything you hear.Past performance or results mentioned do not guarantee future outcomes. Listeners are responsible for their own choices.

Ravin and Al discuss the current state of the economy, exploring conflicting narratives around inflation, affordability, and consumer behavior. They reflect on insights gained from recent guests on their podcast and consider the impact of AI on future economic opportunities.

They discuss perceptions of grift and favoritism in politics, the impact of populism on economic prosperity, and the complexities of racism and accountability in political discourse. The conversation also touches on immigration policies, voter ID laws, and the implications of global political shifts, culminating in a discussion about the Epstein scandal and its fallout.

Disclaimer: The Forged in America podcast features personal stories, experiences, and opinions from hosts Al Goldstein and Ravin Gandhi. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not investment advice, financial advice, solicitation of investments, or any form of professional recommendation.We strive for accuracy, but mistakes can happen and are unintentional. Nothing discussed should be relied upon for making financial, business, or personal decisions. Always consult qualified professionals before acting on anything you hear.Past performance or results mentioned do not guarantee future outcomes. Listeners are responsible for their own choices.

Al and Ravin speak with Don Edwards, founder and chairman of FlexPoint, about his journey from being a college athlete at the University of Illinois to a renowned career in private equity.

They discuss the challenges along the way, including the importance of networking, the transition from investment banking to private equity, and the role of philanthropy in shaping one's identity.

Don shares insights on the competitive nature of golf and how it parallels the business world, as well as the significance of mentorship and having a chip on one's shoulder in achieving success.

Edwards also reflects on what makes a great private equity associate, his leadership role in higher education, and the challenges faced during the encampments at the University of Illinois. He emphasizes the disconnect within academia and the need for a reassessment of higher education's role in society.

Disclaimer: The Forged in America podcast features personal stories, experiences, and opinions from hosts Al Goldstein and Ravin Gandhi. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not investment advice, financial advice, solicitation of investments, or any form of professional recommendation.We strive for accuracy, but mistakes can happen and are unintentional. Nothing discussed should be relied upon for making financial, business, or personal decisions. Always consult qualified professionals before acting on anything you hear.Past performance or results mentioned do not guarantee future outcomes. Listeners are responsible for their own choices.

In this episode, Ravin Gandhi and Al Goldstein engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Rahm Emanuel, discussing the balance of political perspectives, the importance of education and accountability, the shifting demographics in America, and the implications of voter ID laws.

They explore the impact of family structure on society, the complexities of immigration, and the current state of public safety. Emanuel emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to immigration reform and the importance of addressing societal issues through effective public policy. The discussion culminates in reflections on the future of American politics and the necessity for centrist voices in a polarized environment.

Disclaimer: The Forged in America podcast features personal stories, experiences, and opinions from hosts Al Goldstein and Ravin Gandhi. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not investment advice, financial advice, solicitation of investments, or any form of professional recommendation.We strive for accuracy, but mistakes can happen and are unintentional. Nothing discussed should be relied upon for making financial, business, or personal decisions. Always consult qualified professionals before acting on anything you hear.Past performance or results mentioned do not guarantee future outcomes. Listeners are responsible for their own choices.

Austin Berg is Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center, and the Illinois Policy Institute. Austin is an award winning author, and has written a book called The New Chicago Way. He also made a documentary about Chicago Teachers Union called "Local One."

Austin discusses with Ravin and Al the challenges facing Chicago, including its governance issues, economic decline, public safety concerns, and the failing education system. He emphasizes the need for reform in these areas, particularly the influence of the Chicago Teachers Union and the importance of school choice.

The discussion also touches on the political dynamics in the city and the necessity for community engagement to drive change. Berg advocates for a more accountable and effective governance structure to revitalize Chicago and improve the lives of its residents.

Disclaimer: The Forged in America podcast features personal stories, experiences, and opinions from hosts Al Goldstein and Ravin Gandhi. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not investment advice, financial advice, solicitation of investments, or any form of professional recommendation.We strive for accuracy, but mistakes can happen and are unintentional. Nothing discussed should be relied upon for making financial, business, or personal decisions. Always consult qualified professionals before acting on anything you hear.Past performance or results mentioned do not guarantee future outcomes. Listeners are responsible for their own choices.

In this conversation with Ravin and Al, tech investor extraordinaire Rich Heise shares his journey from founding Magnitude Networks in 1995 to navigating the dot-com boom and beyond with Groupon.

He discusses the importance of timing in business, the challenges of family dynamics, and the lessons learned from his experiences with Starbelly and Inner Workings.

Rich emphasizes resilience, adaptability, and the impact of education on personal development, discussing the evolution of several companies including Echo, Media Bank, and Groupon.

They explore the challenges and triumphs of navigating IPOs, the dynamics of partnerships, and the role of luck in business success. The discussion also touches on personal motivations, community building through sports, and reflections on political issues and media bias.

Disclaimer: The Forged in America podcast features personal stories, experiences, and opinions from hosts Al Goldstein and Ravin Gandhi. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not investment advice, financial advice, solicitation of investments, or any form of professional recommendation.We strive for accuracy, but mistakes can happen and are unintentional. Nothing discussed should be relied upon for making financial, business, or personal decisions. Always consult qualified professionals before acting on anything you hear.Past performance or results mentioned do not guarantee future outcomes. Listeners are responsible for their own choices.

NOTE: A few clarifications from E11 regarding points mentioned in this episode, brought to our attention after publication:

Rich was not a co-founder of InnerWorkings (INWK), Echo Global Logistics (ECHO), or Groupon (GRPN). He was an early investor and board member in each company. Public filings for all three companies (including S-1s) list their respective co-founders.

Andrew did not reach out to Rich, which Rich clarified during the conversation. Groupon’s peak market capitalization was approximately $18–19 billion, not $28 billion.