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The Vanguard Podcast

Welcome to the Vanguard Podcast, a weekly radio show discussing news, trends, and event coverage for the Canadian Defence Industry. Vanguard is Canada’s oldest trade journal of record that provides a forum for Canada’s security and defence community, discussing strategic perspectives and overviews of government and military policy and practice, through interviews with leading practitioners and contributions from renowned experts, including representatives from industry. Intersecting strategy, technology and policy, Vanguard explores emerging trends and best practices to help enhance Canada’s holistic approach to defence and security, both domestically and internationally.
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Now displaying: 2022
Oct 31, 2022

Recently the Chief of the Defence Staff issued a direction to begin the reconstitution of the CAF. This undertaking is being implemented on a large scale and is now considered a critical priority. Joining the discussion is Caleb Walker, Chief Strategy Officer from WithYouWithMe. Tune in as they discuss key factors such as modernization, growth, and retention strategies.

In this episode:

  • Retention – Attracting the best and keeping the best
  • Growth – how to grow your staff
  • Modernization – the technology and application required
  • And so much more.
Oct 7, 2022

In this edition of Vanguard Weekly, J. Richard Jones chats about citizen development and how technology applications are enabling scalable solutions to help citizens. Joining the show are special guests Brian Macdonald, Executive Director with Aman Lara and Caleb Walker, SVP Global Pursuits at WithYouWithMe.

Aman Lara is a not for profit group of former veterans and volunteers helping "good people get out of bad places." They have had tremendous results, first in Afghanistan and now in Ukraine. Tune in to learn about the unique collaboration between WithYouWithMe and Aman Lara. We also explore the special app that has been developed to provide greater accessibility in helping extract people from dangerous places, all the way from the tracking and processing through to the final immigration stage.

In this episode:

  • The collaboration between Aman Lara and WithYouWithMe
  • The technology app and how it works while working with small budgets
  • Making the complex simple - getting through the process and bureaucracy
  • The challenges of working with technology and people
  • And so much more
Sep 26, 2022

In the latest episode of Vanguard Radio, J. Richard Jones is joined by Duncan McSporran, Chief Operations Officer & VP Defence and Public Sector, Kognitiv Spark. Mr. McSporran is a former military officer with a background in applied remote sensing, cartography, and GIS. He is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and Oxford Brookes University. In 2016, he helped to set up Kognitiv Spark which has grown into a global leader in the field of Augmented and Mixed Reality. His conversation with J. Richard Jones provides a brief over of Mixed Reality and its role in future deployments.

Also in this episode:

  • Learn the difference between Mixed Reality and Virtual Reality
  • Why this distinction is important
  • What is RemoteSpark?
  • How Mixed Reality is being implemented by defence clients
  • How secure is Mixed Reality technology?
  • How will the use of Mixed Reality evolve over the next 5 to 10 years?
Aug 29, 2022

In this episode of Vanguard Weekly, J. Richard Jones catches up with Chief Strategy Officer, Caleb Walker from WithYouWithMe (WYWM). The topic of discussion is a new digital software factory for the Canadian Armed Forces by the WYWM team and how this new project will assist in driving digital solutions and innovation that remove silos and help increase connectivity across the enterprise.

 

Canada joins other allies who are embracing digital solutions to help streamline processes across the enterprise to help realize efficiencies when it comes to supporting defence teams. Do you have an idea on how to improve processes? Looking to participate in a design sprint?

 

Tune in to find out how you can submit your ideas to the software factory.

Aug 8, 2022

Join J. Richard Jones for the latest episode of Vanguard Radio as he dives into the weighty topic of digitization with Victor Khoo, Chief Engineer, General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada and Infantry Officer Austin Douglas (Ret’d), Capture Manager, General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada. Army digitization presents many serious technical challenges and today’s conversation revolves around how TNaaS can solve these for the Canadian Armed Forces.

In this episode:

  • Digitization conversion vs. digitization transformation
  • Faster, better, stronger with technology
  • Embracing technology and reducing complexity
  • Digitization of land, sea, and air domains
  • Data Consolidation, Data Distribution, and Data Contextualization
  • Is the US also aligned with the TNaaS concept?
  • C4ISR is the Tactical Communications Modernization Project
  • Need for common system engineering
  • And so much more…
Jun 27, 2022

Join J. Richard Jones for another informative episode of Vanguard Radio. In this episode he speaks with Joseph McBrearty, President and CEO, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. CNL is Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology organization, and a world leader in developing nuclear technology for peaceful and innovative applications. With their unique expertise, they are restoring and protecting the environment, advancing clean energy technology, and making medical breakthroughs that improve the health of people around the world.

In this episode:

  • Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and CNL’s role
  • Challenges to the adoption of nuclear technology
  • Nuclear technology misconceptions debunked
  • Preparing for climate change impact
  • Steps to Canada’s climate change and energy security ambitions
  • And more!
Jun 27, 2022

Join J. Richard Jones for another informative episode of Vanguard Radio. In this episode he speaks with Joseph McBrearty, President and CEO, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. CNL is Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology organization, and a world leader in developing nuclear technology for peaceful and innovative applications. With their unique expertise, they are restoring and protecting the environment, advancing clean energy technology, and making medical breakthroughs that improve the health of people around the world.

In this episode:

  • Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and CNL’s role
  • Challenges to the adoption of nuclear technology
  • Nuclear technology misconceptions debunked
  • Preparing for climate change impact
  • Steps to Canada’s climate change and energy security ambitions
  • And more!
Jun 15, 2022

Welcome to the concluding episode of our 5-part Digital Natives and Modern Military podcast series. Host, J. Richard Jones wraps up his exciting and enlightening discussion with very special guests General Sir James Everard, former senior British Army Officer, and Deputy Supreme Allied Commander for NATO and LTCOL Caleb Walker, Global Vice President of Defence for WithYouWithMe. In the final episode they explore the large and important topic of how to retain digital natives and how to retrain them as necessary.

In this episode:

  • Convincing the gatekeepers
  • Implementing and supporting retention methods
  • Defining career paths and training programs
  • Providing diversity of movement
  • Performance management
  • Mentoring and support networks
  • And much more!
Jun 6, 2022

Welcome back to episode 4 of the Digital Natives and Modern Military podcast series. Joining J. Richard Jones once more are special guests, General Sir James Everard, former senior British Army Officer, and Deputy Supreme Allied Commander for NATO and LTCOL Caleb Walker, Global Vice President of Defence for WithYouWithMe. In this episode we explore how the militaries across the five eyes can look to innovation and in particular new engagement channels as a part of the fight to bring digital natives into their ranks.

In this episode:

  • Defence is foreign for digital natives
  • Spectrum engagement
  • The need to build innovation hubs within defence
  • And more!
Jun 2, 2022

In this episode of Vanguard radio, J. Richard Jones talks about Team SkyGuardian Canada, a collection of companies focused on delivering the most advanced long-range, long-endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft for Canada by taking GA-ASI’s industry-leading RPAS – the MQ-9B SkyGuardian – and adding the extraordinary technologies of three established Canadian companies: CAE Canada, L3Harris Technologies’ Canadian subsidiary WESCAM, and MDA. Tune in as J. Richard and special guests: Michel Lalumiere, Director of International Strategic Development-Canada for General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc, France Hébert, Vice President and General Manager, Defence & Security (D&S) for CAE Canada, Cameron McKenzie, Vice President, Global Sales and Business Development, for the Wescam Inc., Dr. Minda Suchan, Vice President of GeoIntelligence at MDA, discuss the Team SkyGuardian partnership and how it unites Canadian capabilities with a leading RPAS platform.

In this episode:

  • The RPAS platform for long-term jobs across aerospace, defence and unmanned systems
  • Partnerships with Canadian industry leaders ensure Canadian sovereignty and operations by Canada joining the growing global MQ-9B Group of Operators across sustainment and in the development of leading-edge technology
  • The commitment to Canada by providing an interoperable solution – an interoperable system of systems – to meet Canada’s strategic vision and primary missions in Strong, Secure and Engaged in addition to its Industrial Technological Benefits Policy Requirements
  • And so much more!
Jun 2, 2022

In this episode of Vanguard radio, J. Richard Jones talks about Team SkyGuardian Canada, a collection of companies focused on delivering the most advanced long-range, long-endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft for Canada by taking GA-ASI’s industry-leading RPA – the MQ-9B SkyGuardian – and adding the extraordinary technologies of three established Canadian companies: CAE Canada, L3Harris Technologies’ Canadian subsidiary WESCAM, and MDA. Tune in as J. Richard and special guests: Michel Lalumiere, Director of International Strategic Development-Canada for General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc, France Hébert, Vice President and General Manager, Defence & Security (D&S) for CAE Canada, Cameron McKenzie, Vice President, Global Sales and Business Development, for the Wescam Inc., Dr. Minda Suchan, Vice President of GeoIntelligence at MDA, discuss the Team SkyGuardian partnership and how it unites Canadian capabilities with a leading RPA platform.

In this episode:

  • The RPA platform for long-term jobs across aerospace, defence and unmanned systems
  • Partnerships with Canadian industry leaders ensure Canadian sovereignty and operations by Canada joining the growing global MQ-9B Group of Operators across sustainment and in the development of leading-edge technology
  • The commitment to Canada by providing an interoperable solution – an interoperable system of systems – to meet Canada’s strategic vision and primary missions in Strong, Secure and Engaged in addition to its Industrial Technological Benefits Policy Requirements
  • And so much more!
May 25, 2022

Host, J. Richard Jones, speaks with Paul Guindon, CEO, Commissionaires Ottawa and National Business Management Committee Chair. Commissionaires is one of Canada’s leading security solutions providers and the largest private sector employer of veterans. It is founded on the core military values of dedication, responsibility, and sense of mission. It also employs 22,000+ people from coast to coast to coast.

In this episode:

  • Digital fingerprinting
  • Infrastructure
  • Background checks
  • Risk assessment
  • And many other areas of security
May 24, 2022

Join host, J. Richard Jones as he speaks with Chris Pogue, Chief Executive Officer, Thales Canada and Jeff Spencer, Chief Executive Officer, Atreides as they discuss the promise of trust as a catalyst for transformation. It’s been five years the Government of Canada awarded Thales the AJISS (Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship/Joint Support Ship In-Service Support) contract, which includes In-Service Support (ISS), refit, repair, maintenance, and training for the Royal Canadian Navy’s new Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) and Joint Support Ships (JSS). This is the largest ISS contract in Canadian history. In the meantime, the need for, and urgency of further accelerating digital transformation has been growing.  

In this episode:

  • What has changed since the AJISS contract was awarded?
  • When and how Thales and Atreides met
  • What they have accomplished together
  • The promise and potential of collaborative innovation between primes and SMBs
  • And much, much more
May 18, 2022

Welcome back! In episode three of our special 5-part podcast series, J. Richard Jones and special guests, General Sir James Everard, former senior British Army Officer, and Deputy Supreme Allied Commander for NATO and LTCOL Caleb Walker, Global Vice President of Defence for WithYouWithMe explore the idea of service as it relates to digital natives. Just what are digital natives looking for and how can the military meet that need?

In this episode:

  • Meeting the needs of digital natives
  • Inspired through service
  • Pattern of service or hybrid service - the flexible establishment model
  • The digital future of military
  • And so much more!

Coming soon:

Episode 4: New Engagement Channels: Incorporating Innovation

May 18, 2022

Welcome back! In episode three of our special 5-part podcast series, J. Richard Jones and special guests, General Sir James Everard, former senior British Army Officer, and Deputy Supreme Allied Commander for NATO and LTCOL Caleb Walker, Global Vice President of Defence for WithYouWithMe explore the idea of service as it relates to digital natives. Just what are digital natives looking for and how can the military meet that need?

In this episode:

  • Meeting the needs of digital natives
  • Inspired through service
  • Pattern of service or hybrid service - the flexible establishment model
  • The digital future of military
  • And so much more!

Coming soon:

Episode 4: New Engagement Channels: Incorporating Innovation

May 17, 2022

Get the full heads-up display in this episode of Vanguard Radio as J. Richard Jones speaks with Jordan Freed, President and Managing Director for Kongsberg Geospatial and Paige Cutland, Vice-President Sales and Marketing for Kongsberg Geospatial. Based out of Ottawa, Canada, Kongsberg Geospacial is the leading provider of mission-critical real-time mapping, geospatial visualization, and situational awareness solutions for air-traffic control, Command and Control, and air defence.

In this episode:

  • Learn what problems Kongsberg is solving for clients
  • What kind of applications Kongsberg produces
  • Successful use cases of the TerraLens
  • The latest updates on their IRIS product
  • Latest products in the pipeline
  • And so much more!
May 16, 2022

Pull up a chair for this electrifying episode of Vanguard Radio as J. Richard Jones speaks with Bruce Alexander, President, Raymond EMC about military electromagnetic capability (EMC), emissions security (EMSEC), and TEMPEST technology. Your security is the issue in this conversation about bad actors who could be stealing your data, keystrokes, and video.

Also in this episode:

  • Bruce Alexander’s journey in the industry
  • What exactly is EMC?
  • The four pillars of EMC testing
  • What is EMSEC and TEMPEST
  • What’s at risk?
  • And more!
May 13, 2022

In this episode of Vanguard Radio, the topic of conversation revolves around satellites and Arctic communications services. Host, J. Richard Jones, interviews Gill Fortin, Director Business Development, Canada, Inmarsat. With experience spanning Customer Service, Operations, Technical Support, Product Management, Account Management, Sales and Business Development, Gill has seen and contributed to the changes that have helped shape the satellite industry as it is today and offers a unique perspective on the challenges faced by those requiring communications services in the Arctic.

In this episode:

  • Why are Arctic communications services so vital?
  • Who benefits from satellite services in the Arctic?
  • How would Arctic satellite services be used in the future?
  • What’s the biggest impediment to Arctic satellite service?
  • How are world events affecting Arctic interests?
  • And more…
May 12, 2022

Welcome back to episode two of our special 5-part podcast series.  Join host, J. Richard Jones and special guests, General Sir James Everard, former senior British Army Officer and Deputy Supreme Allied Commander for NATO and LTCOL Caleb Walker, Global Vice President of Defence for WithYouWithMe. In the episode listen in as they examine the challenge facing all militaries across the West around engaging digital natives – with a particular focus on the future fight and the need for militaries to build out their digital armies.

Also in this episode:

  • The business of military is changing fast. We need to be prepared, we need to build our armies, and this includes digital armies
  • How technology and digital environments are disrupting established ways of operating
  • Growing demand for cyber demands a new approach to recruitment
  • The number one reason for retirement
  • And so much more!
May 5, 2022

In this episode of Vanguard Radio, J. Richard Jones speaks with James Baker, CEO of Keynote Search, a full-service search and recruitment firm with a unique 12-month success guarantee. Keynote has a particular focus on the aerospace, technology, non-profit, and financial services sectors within Canada. In their discussion, Mr. Baker pinpoints the unique challenges for both employers and employees in the current employment climate. He also touches on the strong competitiveness being seen between employers now and highlights how COVID has impacted employment and the way we think about work, including working hours, incentives, remote work, and equity.

Also in this episode:

  • Discover the biggest pressures on the talent sector
  • Learn about successful tactics for attracting and retaining talent
  • Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) considerations in the defence industry
  • Labour market forecast
  • What sets Keynote Search apart from other search firms?
May 5, 2022

In this episode of Vanguard Weekly, J. Richard Jones welcomes back special guest Caleb Walker, Vice President Defence and Federal, WithYouWithMe. Tune in as they discuss what is a Tech Design Sprint and how you can participate. Government faces common technology challenges as they build their digital strategies. The Design Sprint will have a theme focused on ‘building national resilience’ and provide opportunities for participants to co-design tech solutions to real problems. But its so much more than that!

In this episode:

  • Why the Design Sprint and what are the objectives?
  • Talking about and working through tech solutions to help with common digital challenges
  • The business process, getting started and mapping it out, before the technology
  • New ideas and learning from different departments
  • Understanding the user experience and how to improve
  • Design Sprint, a week of knowledge and exploration
  • The Design Sprint and how to participate
May 4, 2022

Welcome to episode 1 of a special 5-part podcast series. Join host, J. Richard Jones and guests, General Sir James Everard, former senior British Army Officer and Deputy Supreme Allied Commander for NATO and LTCOL Caleb Walker, Global Vice President of Defence for WithYouWithMe, as they take a deep and revealing dive into the ongoing process of engaging with and attracting the digital-native generation to the modern military and defence industry. There is a skills crisis unfolding in western armed forces and attracting the hearts and minds of digital natives is the key to winning this talent war.

Also in this episode:

  • The digital space
  • The lack of digital talent
  • The changing character of war
  • Attracting digital natives
  • Training digital technology Jedi
  • The human edge and information dominance
  • The role of education
  • Adventure, purpose, opportunity, and social impact
  • Preparing to fight the future fight
  • And even more!
Apr 12, 2022

In this episode of CGE Radio, J. Richard Jones speaks with Derek Dobson, Defence Industry lead, Microsoft Canada and Chris Pogue, CEO, Thales Canada. Defence organizations around the world are embarking on their digital transformation journey. There are challenges but also huge opportunities. How do you succeed? Tune in as we discuss the key drivers for digital transformation in defence, best practices, lessons learned from both defence forces and industry, and the importance of partnership, procurement reform, and culture as transformation enablers.  

In this episode:

  • How the demands of the battlefield have changed and why digital transformation is vital
  • Best practices for management of digital transformation
  • How a defence organization can get started with their digital transformation journey
  • Why partnership and collaboration are so important in the defence industry
  • The future of intelligence on the battlefield
  • And much, much more!

 

Apr 12, 2022

In this episode of CGE Radio, J. Richard Jones speaks with Derek Dobson, Defence Industry lead, Microsoft Canada and Chris Pogue, CEO, Thales Canada. Defence organizations around the world are embarking on their digital transformation journey. There are challenges but also huge opportunities. How do you succeed? Tune in as we discuss the key drivers for digital transformation in defence, best practices, lessons learned from both defence forces and industry, and the importance of partnership, procurement reform, and culture as transformation enablers.  

In this episode:

  • How the demands of the battlefield have changed and why digital transformation is vital
  • Best practices for management of digital transformation
  • How a defence organization can get started with their digital transformation journey
  • Why partnership and collaboration are so important in the defence industry
  • The future of intelligence on the battlefield
  • And much, much more!

 

Apr 8, 2022

In this important episode of Vanguard Radio Editor in Chief, Terri Pavelic, discusses the Battle of Vimy Ridge with non-profit leader and public history professional, Caitlin Bailey, Executive Director of both the Canadian Centre for the Great War and the Vimy Foundation. Caitlin is committed to ensuring the longevity of the memory of the Great War in Canadian life and finding new and interesting ways to tell its story. The Vimy Foundation is inspired by the heroic victory of the Canadian Forces at Vimy Ridge and believes that the key to a successful future lies in knowing one’s past. To help spread awareness, particularly in young people, the Foundation works with different partners on many projects and commemorative initiatives, while also creating forward-looking educational program that use history as a tool for building a better future.

In this episode:

  • Explore the mission of the Vimy Foundation
  • Learn the importance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge
  • Hear about the “Vimy: A Living Memorial” initiative
  • Examine the digital tools and 2.5D technologies involved in creating “Vimy: A Living Memorial”
  • And so much more!
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