What does resilience look like when the market turns against you?

In Episode 78 of the BreakLine Arena, Team BreakLine’s own, Natalia Peddycoart, sits down with Jackson Fairburn, a former U.S. Army AH-64 Apache pilot, company commander, and now Mission Success Lead at Swarm Aero, to unpack his journey from nine years of military service into a volatile 2022 tech hiring market.

Jackson shares how he translated high-stakes aviation leadership into civilian impact, landed a solutions engineering role at Evolv Technology during a downturn, earned rapid promotions, and ultimately returned to aviation-focused innovation by staying open to unexpected opportunity.

This conversation is about more than transition.

It’s about reinvention.

Reassessing priorities as life evolves.

Trusting the process when outcomes feel uncertain.

And adopting a mindset Jackson calls: “Be Open to Yes.”

Whether you’re navigating a pivot, leading through ambiguity, or searching for true mission fit, this episode offers a grounded, tactical look at resilience in action.

If you’re a visionary founder or a purpose-driven top performer building the future with clarity, community, and access to the most ambitious companies in America, join us!

Learn more about our Effects-Based Hiring approach here: partners.breakline.org

Sam Jones started his career as a GS-7 cyber operator in the Air Force. Today, he’s the co-founder and CEO of Method Security, a bleeding-edge, dual-use cybersecurity and AI company that has raised $26M from top investors, including Andreesen Horowitz and General Catalyst. 

In this BreakLine Arena conversation, Sam doesn’t just talk with Zayn (CEO and Host) about cybersecurity; he talks about building for the business effect from the onset. Sam unpacks why his team chose what he describes as the “psychotic approach” of serving Fortune 500 companies and the Department of War from day one. Resilient software isn’t a strategic choice but a structural requirement if the government and Fortune 500 are to secure their organizations. And what it means to design a company, technically and culturally, around the hardest missions first.

“To become resilient, you need to test the whole of the enterprise all the time where it matters most.”

This episode is about more than AI and cyber. It’s about raising standards. Building teams with real conviction. Choosing the harder path early so the ceiling stays high later and for the long game.

If you’re a visionary founder or a purpose-driven top performer building the future with clarity, community, and access to the most ambitious companies in America, join us!

Learn more about our Effects-Based Hiring approach here: BreakLine.org

In the first episode of 2026, we’re bringing you a fresh conversation that sits at the intersection of purpose and performance.

Join us in The BreakLine Arena to hear Justin Crocker, Head of People & Talent of the a16z-backed startup, Sharp Performance, pull back the curtain on his strategy for building high-caliber teams. Justin discusses his career and the key decision-making variables along the way, what the team at Sharp Performance is building for their front-line customers in high-risk jobs, and how the team hires with an incredibly high bar. In this episode, Justin joins Zayn Knaub in The BreakLine Arena to pull apart the “black box’ of high-stakes hiring, team-building, and post-military careers.

From out of the dense, directionless fog of transitioning out of service to leading a team that is “literally saving and changing people’s lives,” don’t miss his gems about building for longevity, not just short-term performance.

If you’re a visionary founder or a purpose-driven top performer building the future with clarity, community, and access to the most ambitious companies in America, join us!

Learn more about our Effects-Based Hiring approach here: BreakLine.org

In this powerful episode of BreakLine Arena, we sit down with Crystal Maggelet, CEO and Chairwoman of FJ Management, to explore what it means to carry forward a family legacy with purpose and grace. Crystal shares the remarkable story of saving her family business from the brink of bankruptcy, stepping into leadership in a time of immense pressure, and choosing to say “yes” even when it felt risky.

From reviving FJ Management into a $9B enterprise to raising four children while leading with heart, Crystal offers invaluable insight into leading with integrity, humility, and resilience. Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of what it means to blend family, business, and values in a way that leaves a lasting impact.

Please like, rate, subscribe, or review our show if you like what you’ve heard! We’d love to hear your thoughts! If you’re interested in joining our community, please visit www.breakline.org. If you’re interested in exploring partnerships with BreakLine, please visit https://breakline.org/partners/partner-signup/.

Join us in the BreakLine Arena as we sit down with Carina Edwards, CEO of Kipu Health, for a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation about leadership, innovation, and the power of building intentional community—what she calls f(r)amily.

Carina shares insights from her remarkable 30-year career across the private and public sectors and opens up about what drew her to Kipu Health’s mission of transforming behavioral healthcare in the U.S. We dive into the growing demand for mental health and substance use treatment, the evolution of telehealth, and how AI is shaping the future of patient-centered care.

As a natural introvert in a highly people-facing role, Carina offers thoughtful leadership advice and reflections on embracing career pivots, building emotional connection to your work, and creating inclusive environments where clarity, culture, and feedback are prioritized.

Whether you’re navigating your transition or leading through change, this conversation will leave you energized, inspired, and grounded in purpose.

Please like, rate, subscribe, or review our show if you like what you’ve heard! We’d love to hear your thoughts! If you’re interested in joining our community, please visit www.breakline.org. If you’re interested in exploring partnerships with BreakLine, please visit https://breakline.org/partners/partner-signup/.

What does "service before self" look like in one of the world’s most competitive industries? In this powerful episode of the BreakLine Arena, we sit down with Anthony Mirabile, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs, to explore how his military background continues to shape his leadership in finance.

Drawing on his experience at the U.S. Air Force Academy and over a decade at Goldman, Anthony shares how discipline, humility, and service have guided his career. He offers an energizing perspective on leadership, asserting that “as leaders, we are accountable to our people, not for them”—a mindset that challenges conventional notions of authority and empowers teams to thrive.

We also explore the culture in Goldman’s Salt Lake City office, the role of the Goldman Sachs Veterans Network in building community, and what Anthony looks for in every hire: energy, attitude, and grit. Whether you’re a veteran navigating a career pivot or an aspiring leader looking to make a lasting impact, this episode delivers a masterclass in ownership, clarity, and care.

Listen in for a masterclass in humility, ownership, and service-oriented leadership.

Please like, rate, subscribe, or review our show if you like what you’ve heard! We’d love to hear your thoughts! If you’re interested in joining our community, please visit www.breakline.org. If you’re interested in exploring partnerships with BreakLine, please visit https://breakline.org/partners/partner-signup/.

What does it take to lead grounded in values and with heart, all while scaling businesses? In this episode of BreakLine Arena, we sit down with Marc Maloy, COO of Voze, to explore his leadership journey—from his humble beginnings to building and leading high-performing teams in the tech industry.

Marc shares invaluable insights on scaling fast-growing companies, overcoming imposter syndrome, and utilizing AI to unlock human potential. We dive into his go-to-market playbook, the evolving role of AI in HR, and his perspective on balancing inspiration, engagement, and resilience in leadership.

Tune in to hear how Marc navigates the ever-changing landscape of tech, why AI is both inevitable and a powerful tool, and what it truly means to lead with courage in today’s world.

Please like, rate, subscribe, or review our show if you’ve liked what you’ve heard! We’d love to hear your thoughts. If you’re interested in joining our community, please visit www.breakline.org. If you’re interested in exploring partnerships with BreakLine, please visit https://breakline.org/partners/partner-signup/.

What does it mean to manage someone else’s legacy, future, and trust all at once? Join us in the BreakLine Arena for a conversation with Pete Koziol, co-founder of Dauntless Ventures, about building a venture firm with a national purpose.

Pete shares his journey from the U.S. Naval Academy to Stanford Business School, his time at Goldman Sachs, and how he co-founded Dauntless Ventures—a firm backing early-stage companies in the defense, industrial, and nuclear sectors. We dive into the complexities of investing in national security tech, why the Department of Defense selected Dauntless for its new venture capital program, and the unique responsibility that comes with managing others’ capital.

Pete also reflects on balancing career and family, his take on building strong real-world relationships over social media, and what it truly means to be an investor, founder, veteran, and father —all at once.

Please like, rate, subscribe, or review our show if you’ve liked what you’ve heard! We’d love to hear your thoughts. If you’re interested in joining our community, please visit www.breakline.org. If you’re interested in exploring partnerships with BreakLine, please visit https://breakline.org/partners/partner-signup/.

Join us in the BreakLine Arena for an insightful conversation with Raj Shah, Managing Partner at Shield Capital and co-founder of Resilience. As a former fighter pilot and the current Director of the Joint Reserve Detachment at DIU, Raj brings a unique perspective on the future of war, innovation in defense, and the intersection of government and technology.

In this episode, Raj shares his expertise on:

🔹 The evolving landscape of modern warfare and defense technology

🔹 Key challenges and opportunities within the U.S. military

🔹 How entrepreneurs and innovators can navigate bureaucracy in pursuit of meaningful impact

He also reflects on his journey as the previous Director of the Defense Innovation Unit Experimental (DIUx), reporting to the Secretary of Defense, an investor, and entrepreneur, offering invaluable wisdom on balancing service and private sector winsimpact.

Tune in for an eye-opening discussion that explores how Silicon Valley and the Pentagon are shaping the future of defense.

📢 Like, rate, and subscribe if you enjoy the episode! Join our community at www.breakline.org or explore partnerships at BreakLine Partners.

What does it take to build and scale a thriving business? In this episode of The BreakLine Arena, we sit down with Stef Fisher-Sample, CEO & Co-Founder of HenHouse Holdings, to explore the realities of entrepreneurship and franchising.

Stef shares her journey from taking over seven struggling Taco Bell locations to growing a successful business portfolio. She dives into her "pain cave" mindset, the value of hiring in middle America, and why she believes in acquiring businesses instead of starting from scratch.

We also discuss her "lazy entrepreneur" approach—how to work smarter, not harder—and why authenticity is the ultimate leadership skill. If you're curious about scaling businesses, navigating franchising, or leading with impact, this episode is for you!

Please like, rate, subscribe, or review our show if you’ve liked what you’ve heard! We’d love to hear your thoughts. If you’re interested in joining our community, please visit www.breakline.org. If you’re interested in exploring partnerships with BreakLine, please visit https://breakline.org/partners/partner-signup/.

The world of strategic intelligence is evolving at an unprecedented pace. In this episode of the BreakLine Arena, we sit down with Eric Levesque, COO and Co-Founder of Strider Technologies, to explore how organizations can protect their technology, innovation, and competitive advantage in an era of global strategic competition.

Eric shares his expertise on the high-stakes battleground of strategic intelligence, revealing how intellectual property threats, geopolitical conflicts, and emerging technologies are reshaping industries worldwide. We dive into Strider Technologies’ all-of-society approach, the critical role of government-private sector collaboration, and how Strider’s ability to process massive amounts of data faster than most gives organizations a decisive edge.

Please like, rate, subscribe, or review our show if you’ve liked what you’ve heard! We’d love to hear your thoughts. If you’re interested in joining our community, please visit www.breakline.org. If you’re interested in exploring partnerships with BreakLine, please visit https://breakline.org/partners/partner-signup/.

How do you disrupt an entire industry and transform customer experience? Together with his team, TJ Parker, Co-Founder and former CEO of PillPack, did just that.

During our conversation, TJ shares the journey of building PillPack, from their early vision and startup team, to navigating through extremely tense dynamics with very large incumbents, to ultimately selling PillPack to Amazon, and continuing to build for a much bigger market. He reflects on the biggest lessons learned, and also the most critical decisions that shaped the company’s success.

It was a treat to have TJ’s big brother, Dan Parker, in the audience. When it came time for QA, Dan helpfully asked what percentage of college classes TJ actually attended.

We also dive into the power of community, the importance of work ethic, and what’s next for TJ in his new(er) role as an investor at Matrix Partners.

Please like, rate, subscribe, or review our show if you’ve liked what you’ve heard! We’d love to hear your thoughts. If you’re interested in joining our community, please visit www.breakline.org. If you’re interested in exploring partnerships with BreakLine, please visit https://breakline.org/partners/partner-signup/.

Join us in the BreakLine Arena for a conversation with Todd Bennett, President and COO of Deer Valley Resort. Todd and his team are known for the “Deer Valley Difference.” They deliver extraordinary experiences unavailable anywhere else in the world.

Todd shares insights on leadership, innovation, and guest experience, and covers topics from major resort expansions, hosting the Olympics and the World Cup, the future of privatized ski resorts and how cutting-edge tech is changing the game for top ski resorts. 

We also dive into his personal journey, including The Man Behind the Maps, the beloved book that he self-published, and how overcoming a life-changing heart condition made him an even better leader.

Please like, rate, subscribe, or review our show if you’ve liked what you’ve heard! We’d love to hear your thoughts. If you’re interested in joining our community, please visit http://www.breakline.org/. If you’re interested in exploring partnerships with BreakLine, please learn more at https://breakline.org/partners/partner-signup/.

In Episode 63 of the BreakLine Arena, we sit down with Lexi Reese, CEO and co-founder of Lanai Software.

Lexi shares actionable insights and research-backed strategies to help individuals and companies achieve big goals together. From hiring practices to building high-functioning teams, she breaks down the five key components that drive success and shares her priorities at Lanai.

We also explore Lexi’s inspiring journey running for US Senate, her candid thoughts on AI—including where to start if you're feeling overwhelmed - and her hopes for its future.

Please like, rate, subscribe, or review our show if you’ve liked what you’ve heard! We’d love to hear your thoughts. If you’re interested in joining our community, please visit www.breakline.org. If you’re interested in exploring partnerships with BreakLine, please visit https://breakline.org/partners/partner-signup/.

We’re thrilled to feature Leslie Snavely, CEO & President of CHG Healthcare, the largest physician and recruiting staffing company in the US.

Join us as she shares her inspiring career journey, the unique insights she's gained as a military spouse, and how she stays true to her values: “I want to be who I am, where I am.”  With BreakLine’s new Utah initiative for military spouses and veterans underway, Leslie’s story is especially timely.

Tune in to hear about her early days at Procter & Gamble, how she navigated cross-country moves for her husband’s military career, and her reflections on motherhood and moving back to Utah. Leslie speaks to the importance of mentorship, leading with values, and the unique insights that come from her dual role as a leader and military spouse.

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation!

Join us in the BreakLine Arena for a conversation with Josh Araujo, CEO of Forterra. His team, among the earliest innovators in the field, is revolutionizing the defense sector with its dual-use autonomous vehicle systems, while supporting and protecting soldiers and civilians on the front line.  

Josh delves into a series of compelling topics, including his unique journey from the Marines to Wall Street and to leading Forterra. He highlights his core leadership principles and the significance of staying close to the operational level to genuinely empower teams. Josh ends by sharing his goals and plans to scale Forterra while maintaining a strong culture of innovation.

“A leader should enable their team. Take the blame when things go wrong, and give credit to others when things go right.”

Please like, rate, subscribe, or review our show if you’ve liked what you’ve heard! We’d love to hear your thoughts. If you’re interested in joining our community, please visit www.breakline.org. If you’re interested in exploring partnerships with BreakLine, please visit https://breakline.org/partners/partner-signup/.

Join us in the BreakLine Arena for a conversation with Chris Mahl, President and COO of Pryon. Pryon is developing a best-in-class knowledge management platform, transforming complex, unstructured data from multiple sources into solutions for leading enterprises and government agencies.

Chris dives into a range of interesting topics, from professional experiences and lessons learned in his earlier career to the transformation and impact we’re currently experiencing with AI. He emphasizes how essential passion is to the success of businesses and their workforce, details Pryon's distinctive strategies for tackling AI issues, and so much more!

“A startup is a ridiculously, wonderfully complicated, exciting experience.”

Please like, rate, subscribe, or review our show if you’ve liked what you’ve heard! We’d love to hear your thoughts. If you’re interested in joining our community, please visit www.breakline.org. If you’re interested in exploring partnerships with BreakLine, please visit https://breakline.org/partners/partner-signup/.

Join us in the BreakLine Arena for a conversation with John Donahoe, President & CEO of NIKE, Inc., world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. 

John dove into his own career transitions and the deeper sense of purpose that guides him. He shared some of the inner challenges he has navigated throughout his career, insights from “wisdom conversations” he had with peers and mentors during a sabbatical, how he and his wife, Eileen, built a dual-career family, and so much more.

This podcast was recorded on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023. References to events or facts are true up to that point but might have changed between the recording and release of this episode.

Please like, rate, subscribe, or review our show if you’ve liked what you’ve heard! We’d love to hear your thoughts. If you’re interested in joining our community, please visit www.breakline.org. If you’re interested in exploring partnerships with BreakLine, please visit https://breakline.org/partners/partner-signup/.

Join us in the BreakLine Arena for a conversation with Jessica Nordell, journalist, and author of  The End of Bias: A Beginning.

In our conversation, she shares practical and research-backed approaches for addressing the habits of mind and action that prevent leaders from building and retaining outstanding teams. Among other topics, she describes the power of having an “existence proof,” the stabilizing and uplifting role that mentors play for up-and-coming professionals, and how to prevent “shadow requirements” from blocking one’s path to success. 

Please like, rate, subscribe, or review our show if you’ve liked what you’ve heard! We’d love to hear your thoughts. If you’re interested in joining our community, please visit www.breakline.org. If you’re interested in exploring partnerships with BreakLine, please visit https://breakline.org/partners/partner-signup/.

Join us in the BreakLine Arena for a conversation with Jen Sovada, President of Public Sector at SandboxAQ. SandboxAQ is harnessing the power of AI + Quantum technology to develop products for computationally-intensive industries including the public sector, healthcare, and telecommunications.

Jen dives into her experience working on emerging technology while bridging the public-private sector gap, as well as her mentality around being a lifelong learner. She also shares some tips for building effective teams, managing imposter syndrome, and building a career in national security.

“When building a team, don’t look just at the qualities and skillsets that they bring. Look at how interested they are in learning, how inquisitive they are, and whether or not they want to grow and build.”

Please like, rate, subscribe, or review our show if you’ve liked what you’ve heard! We’d love to hear your thoughts. If you’re interested in joining our community, please visit www.breakline.org. If you’re interested in exploring partnerships with BreakLine, please visit https://breakline.org/partners/partner-signup/.