Podcast
The Hill & Valley Forum Podcast
Hosted by Jacob Helberg, Delian Asparouhov, Christian Garrett · EN
From heretical to mainstream: The Hill and the Valley Forum is a private bipartisan community of lawmakers and innovators committed to harnessing the power of technology to address America's most pressing national security challenges. In 2025, headliners of the conference included: Palantir CEO Alex Karp, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, Howard Lutnick, Anthropic Co-founder Jack Clark, OpenAI CPO Kevin Weil, Google CIO Ruth Porat, David Friedberg, Vinod Khosla, Josh Kushner, and more. The podcast is hosted by the co-hosts of The Hill & Valley Forum: Author and Under Secretary of State (E) Designate for the Trump administration Jacob Helberg, Principal at 137 Ventures Christian Garrett, and Partner at Founders Fund and Founder of Varda Space Industries Delian Asparouhov.
The Hill & Valley is a part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: turpentine.co
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Episodes
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Jacob Helberg, Delian Asparouhov, Christian Garrett | HIll & Valley 2025 Opening Remarks
May 3, 202500:12:07Tap to summarizeThe fourth annual Hill and Valley Forum brings together Silicon Valley and Capitol Hill to strengthen public-private partnerships for American technological leadership, featuring speakers discussing the need to rebuild America's competitive edge against global adversaries in fields like AI, aerospace, and manufacturing. Follow on X: @jacobhelberg (Jacob Helberg) @cgarrett_15 (Christian Garrett) @zebulgar (Delian Asparouhov) Subscribe to The Hill & Valley Forum Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HillValleyForum Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hill-valley-forum-podcast/id1692653857 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39s4MCyt1pOTQ8FjOAS4mi Timestamps: (0:00) Intro (0:13) Christian Garrett's opening remarks on rebuilding bridges between Silicon Valley and government (2:42) Delian Asparouhov on U.S. technological advantages and challenges vs. adversaries, particularly China (6:17) Jacob Helberg on the forum's growth and America's reindustrialization revolution (11:54) Introduction of Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Interior
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Doug Burgum, Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior | Hill & Valley Forum 2025 Remarks
May 3, 202500:23:51Tap to summarizeSecretary of the Interior Doug Burgum discusses the critical importance of energy dominance to American technological leadership, particularly in the AI arms race against China, highlighting the need for increased domestic electricity production, critical minerals development, and sustainable resource management on federal lands. Follow on X: @SecretaryBurgum (Doug Burgum) Subscribe to The Hill & Valley Forum Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HillValleyForum Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hill-valley-forum-podcast/id1692653857 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39s4MCyt1pOTQ8FjOAS4mi Timestamps: (0:00) Intro (0:08) Opening gratitude and background of Doug Burgum's career in tech (2:17) Discussion of AI's transformative impact and policy implications (3:32) The connection between energy production and winning the AI arms race with China (9:50) Analysis of America's electricity challenges compared to China's aggressive energy expansion (16:57) Proposals for critical minerals development, including sovereign risk insurance and federal investment (20:44) Vision for sustainable resource management on federal lands to generate revenue and strengthen the economy (23:13) Closing
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Senator Bill Hagerty | Hill & Valley Forum 2025 Remarks
May 3, 202500:09:59Tap to summarizeSenator Bill Hagerty shares his optimistic vision for American technological and economic leadership, outlining the Trump administration's strategy to counter China's unfair trade practices through tax cuts, deregulation, energy dominance, and balanced trade policies, while also highlighting forthcoming legislation to support cryptocurrency innovation. Follow on X: @SenatorHagerty (Bill Hagerty) Subscribe to The Hill & Valley Forum Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HillValleyForum Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hill-valley-forum-podcast/id1692653857 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39s4MCyt1pOTQ8FjOAS4mi Timestamps: (0:00) Intro (0:08) Opening remarks and acknowledgment of forum founders (0:55) Message of optimism about America's innovative potential (1:34) Discussion of China's unfair trade practices and intellectual property theft (3:22) Trump administration's economic plans including tax cuts and jobs act extension (4:51) Benefits of deregulation for American businesses (4:57) Energy dominance strategy and its economic and geopolitical advantages (6:02) Explanation of trade and tariff initiatives to rectify imbalances (7:45) Introduction of the Genius Act to support cryptocurrency innovation (8:34) Closing remarks on America's innovative capacity and leadership potential (9:21) Closing
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Palantir CEO Alex Karp | Forging the Technological Republic: Power, Purpose, and the New American Century
May 3, 202500:28:37Tap to summarizeIn this conversation at the Hill and Valley Forum, Palantir CEO Alex Karp discusses his book "The Technological Republic," the importance of Western values, and the organizational principles that enabled Palantir's success, while emphasizing the need for America to win the AI arms race and the critical role of conviction and meritocracy in building enduring companies. Follow on X: @jacobhelberg (Jacob Helberg) Subscribe to The Hill & Valley Forum Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HillValleyForum Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hill-valley-forum-podcast/id1692653857 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39s4MCyt1pOTQ8FjOAS4mi Timestamps: (0:00) Alex Karp's statement on AI power dynamics and America's imperative to win the AI arms race (0:39) Introduction and discussion about Karp's book on Western values (4:58) Disruption by a protester and Karp's response about free speech and discourse (11:23) Shifting to organizational lessons that made Palantir successful (16:00) The importance of belief systems and conviction in building great companies (20:50) Discussion of Palantir's support for Israel and the source of Karp's moral convictions (28:09) Closing
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Oracle CEO Safra Catz | Special Message to Hill & Valley Forum 2025
May 3, 202500:10:32Tap to summarizeOracle CEO Safra Catz discusses the company's commitment to supporting U.S. national security, describing Oracle's longstanding relationship with intelligence agencies, their principled stance on moral issues like refusing to operate in China and supporting Israel, and how AI technologies must be leveraged to maintain America's competitive advantage against adversaries. Follow on X: @SafraCatz (Safra Catz) @jacobhelberg (Jacob Helberg) Subscribe to The Hill & Valley Forum Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HillValleyForum Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hill-valley-forum-podcast/id1692653857 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39s4MCyt1pOTQ8FjOAS4mi Timestamps: (0:00) Intro (0:10) Oracle's role in defending Western values and supporting the U.S. government (1:30) Examples of Oracle staying true to its moral compass, including decisions about China and supporting Israel (4:11) Discussion on how the U.S. government can leverage AI to defend against foreign threats (6:12) Perspective on America's potential new golden age following the recent election (7:40) Technology first principles from Oracle that government can draw inspiration from (9:46) Closing remarks
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NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang | Rebuilding Industrial Power: AI Factories & the Return of American Manufacturing
May 3, 202500:24:21Tap to summarizeNVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang discusses the concept of AI factories—systems that transform electricity into computational intelligence—and explains how AI represents an industrial revolution that will transform every industry, create new jobs in tech and trades, and enable advanced manufacturing through digital twins and physical AI. Follow on X: @jacobhelberg (Jacob Helberg) Subscribe to The Hill & Valley Forum Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HillValleyForum Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hill-valley-forum-podcast/id1692653857 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39s4MCyt1pOTQ8FjOAS4mi Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction and Jensen's opening statement on AI's impact on jobs (0:38) Welcome and initial question about AI factories (3:17) Discussion of AI as a paradigm shift in modern computing (4:51) Explanation of physical AI and its evolution from perception to reasoning (9:46) Analysis of what the US needs to do to win the global AI race (13:04) Impact of AI on the workforce and job market (17:55) How AI enables reshoring and manufacturing through digital twins (22:19) Timeline predictions for AI-enabled robots becoming ubiquitous (23:52) Closing
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Anduril CEO Brian Schimpf & Mike Waltz | The Arsenal Reimagined: Designing the DoD for the 21st Century Battlefield
May 3, 202500:22:44Tap to summarizeAnduril co-founder Brian Schimpf and US Ambassador to the United Nations nominee Mike Waltz discuss the urgent need to reform defense acquisition processes, with Schimpf arguing for free market competition in weapons development and emphasizing how improving manufacturing capabilities and industrial capacity is critical for credible deterrence against China's growing military threat. Follow on X: @MikeWaltz47 (Mike Waltz) @SchimpfBrian (Brian Schimpf) @cgarrett_15 (Christian Garrett) Subscribe to The Hill & Valley Forum Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HillValleyForum Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hill-valley-forum-podcast/id1692653857 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39s4MCyt1pOTQ8FjOAS4mi Timestamps: (00:00) Preview (00:50) Intro (01:19) Waltz on defense acquisition reform and modernization initiatives (05:07) Discussion on how tech community can work with government and defense sector (07:34) Brian Schimpf on increased accountability and performance metrics in defense contracting (10:17) Schimpf's vision for reimagining defense procurement through market competition (12:11) Discussion of industrial capacity challenges and manufacturing constraints (15:36) How Silicon Valley and Capitol Hill can work together to solve defense industrial base issues (17:46) Challenges with allied defense partnerships and foreign military sales (19:28) What's at stake if the US falls behind China in critical technologies (22:06) Closing
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VP Of Taiwan Hsiao Bi-Khim | Special Message to HIll & Valley Forum 2025
May 3, 202500:06:46Tap to summarizeIn a video address to the Hill and Valley Forum, Taiwan's representative emphasizes the strategic importance of Taiwan-US partnership across three key areas: national security, industrial manufacturing capabilities, and AI leadership, highlighting how Taiwan's resilience and technological ecosystem can contribute to rebuilding America's industrial base and maintaining technological superiority in an increasingly contested global environment. Follow on X: @bikhim (Hsiao Bi-Khim) Subscribe to The Hill & Valley Forum Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HillValleyForum Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hill-valley-forum-podcast/id1692653857 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39s4MCyt1pOTQ8FjOAS4mi Timestamps: (0:00) Opening (0:15) Introduction and greeting from Taiwan (0:35) Taiwan's importance as a resilient partner to the United States (1:01) First key area: Taiwan's security as global security and defense initiatives (2:59) Second key area: Taiwan's contribution to American industrial comeback (3:54) Third key area: Taiwan as a partner in AI leadership (4:55) Conclusion on Taiwan's resilience, values, and call for partnership (6:07) Closing
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Congressman George Whitesides, Major General Steve "Bucky" Butow, and SpaceX SVP Global Business Tim Hughes | The Final Frontier for American Power: Securing Leadership in Space
May 3, 202500:25:49Tap to summarizeIn this panel discussion at the Hill and Valley Forum, leaders from the commercial space industry and government discuss America's space superiority, with SpaceX's Tim Hughes highlighting the transformative impact of reusable rockets, Congressman George Whitesides emphasizing the need for acquisition reform and risk tolerance, and former Space Force executive Bucky discussing how economic power in space is essential for military power in space. Follow on X: @gtwhitesides (George Whitesides) @zebulgar (Delian Asparouhov) Subscribe to The Hill & Valley Forum Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HillValleyForum Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hill-valley-forum-podcast/id1692653857 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39s4MCyt1pOTQ8FjOAS4mi Timestamps: (0:00) Preview (0:24) Applause and introduction by moderator Delian (1:22) Discussion on the current state of commercial space activities (3:23) SpaceX's Tim Hughes on Starship development and reusability (5:30) Congressman Whitesides on bringing space industry perspective to Congress (9:27) Bucky on space as a contested domain and military strategy (12:33) Whitesides on defense acquisition reform and regulatory challenges (15:27) Tim Hughes explaining the meaning of "commercial" in space industry (18:55) Bucky on procurement process reform and agile development (20:08) Whitesides on risk tolerance and development challenges in government (22:01) SpaceX's biggest challenges as a rapidly growing space company (23:38) Panel discussion on America's goals for the Moon and Mars (25:20) Closing remarks
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Senator Joni Ernst, Keith Rabois, and Ramp CEO Eric Glyman | First Principles for Smarter, Leaner Government
May 3, 202500:25:49Tap to summarizeIn this panel discussion, Senator Joni Ernst, Chair of the DOGE Caucus, joins Ramp CEO Eric Glyman and tech executive Keith Rabois to discuss improving government efficiency through commercial technologies, highlighting shocking examples of payment tracking failures, credit card misuse, and remote work abuse while emphasizing how modern financial technologies could save billions in taxpayer dollars. Follow on X: @SenJoniErnst (Sen Joni Ernst) @rabois (Keith Rabois) @eglyman (Eric Glyman) @zebulgar (Delian Asparouhov) Subscribe to The Hill & Valley Forum Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HillValleyForum Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hill-valley-forum-podcast/id1692653857 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39s4MCyt1pOTQ8FjOAS4mi Timestamps: (0:00) Preview (0:33) Introduction to government efficiency panel (1:07) Senator Ernst on problems with federal payment tracking systems (3:05) Keith Rabois on applying financial industry lessons to government spending (3:47) Discussion of GSA credit card issues with 4.6 million cards for fewer employees (6:18) Eric Glyman on how Ramp's technology prevents inappropriate spending (9:00) Senator Ernst on expanding commercial technology adoption beyond defense (10:49) Keith on technology improving productivity and reducing unnecessary taxation (12:13) Eric explaining how Anduril benefits from Ramp's financial technology (15:24) Senator Ernst on taxpayer-funded union time and examples of remote work abuse (19:04) Discussion on benefits of in-person work versus remote environments (20:52) Attracting and retaining tech talent in government service (22:40) Keith on how DOGE has become a talent magnet for government service (23:24) Senator Ernst on codifying DOGE initiatives through bipartisan legislation (25:18) Closing
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