The BreakLine Arena

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 impactHe 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/.