"Burnout happens not always because you work long hours, but because you're doing things that don't bring you enjoyment or that you feel good at."
In this episode, we explore together with Dave Brewer, retired Air Force officer and current space strategist for the Michigan National Guard, how technology, leadership, and national defense are converging in surprising - and urgent - ways.
Based on his nearly 30 years of experience in military intelligence, Dave unpacks how misunderstood technologies like AI and cryptocurrency could shift global power dynamics, why burnout often stems from misaligned work rather than long hours, and how innovation needs to be treated as a method, not a buzzword. He also shares insights on how space operations are becoming critical to defense strategy, what it takes to integrate space into joint military exercises, and why ethical questions about space and tech can no longer wait.
Whether you're scaling innovation efforts or simply trying to stay sane in a high-stakes world, this episode offers a unique vantage point into the future of defense, technology, and the human side of leadership.
Chapter 1: From Burnout to Breakthrough – The Human Side of Military Innovation
- Why burnout is more about purpose than workload
- Dave’s transformation - from fighter pilot to intelligence officer
- Lessons from high-stakes leadership and how to unlock team potential
- The role of enjoyment and strengths in long-term career performance
Chapter 2: Misunderstood Tech, Real-World Consequences
- Why AI, blockchain, and quantum aren’t just buzzwords - they’re misunderstood threats and opportunities
- The geopolitical risks of cryptocurrency as a potential weapon
- Why “innovation” is a methodology, not a label - and how overusing the term kills meaning
- The importance of defining purpose (“fitness function”) before implementing tech
Chapter 3: Space is Not Science Fiction – It’s Strategy
- Why space operations are becoming central to national defense
- The difference between using, tasking, and supporting space systems
- Dave’s work integrating space strategy into joint military exercises
- The rise of space commercialization, public-private dynamics, and ethical dilemmas
Chapter 4: Leading at the Edge – What Comes Next
- Technology convergence: how AI, blockchain, and quantum could unlock (or destabilize) the next frontier
- Why space manufacturing may be the key to quantum breakthroughs
- The future of alliances and global divides in space access and dominance
- Dave’s reflections on legacy, leadership, and what he’d do differently
About the authors
Dr. Christian Mühlroth is the host of the Innovation Rockstars podcast and also serves as the CEO of ITONICS. Dave Brewer is a retired U.S. Air Force officer with over 29 years of experience spanning intelligence, strategy, emerging tech, and space operations. As a certified innovation leader and lecturer at the University of Michigan, he’s trained hundreds of military and civilian innovators, driving cross-sector collaboration to solve some of defense’s most complex challenges.
The Innovation Rockstars podcast is a production of ITONICS, provider of the world’s leading Operating System for Innovation. Do you also have an inspiring story to tell about innovation, foresight, strategy, or growth? Then shoot us a note!
