Defense Unicorns, A Podcast · 2025-04-14 · 50 min
On this episode of The Defense Unicorns Podcast, we’re not just talking about writing code - we’re talking about what happens when you try to change the culture of software inside the Department of Defense. From flying to Qatar to debug mission-critical planning tools to reflashing smart lightbulbs with open-source firmware, Wayne Starr has done it all. Host Rebecca Lively sits down with Wayne, a Unicorn Engineer at Defense Unicorns, to unpack what it takes to deliver secure, user-centered software in one of the world’s most complex environments. Wayne shares how his early career at DIU “ruined” him - in the best possible way - by showing what was possible when bureaucratic blockers are set aside and software teams are trusted to deliver. He dives into real DevSecOps wins and war stories, including a mission-planning app that saved hours of planner time and real dollars in fuel. Along the way, he reflects on the absurdity of battles over office headsets, the power of printing MP3s on paper, and how open source gives individuals more control over their technology.
Teaming for the Mission: Why Collaboration Wins in Complex Environments with Bob Ritchie and Lauren Knausenberger72 / 100Why Contributing to Open Source Matters for the MissionShipping Software Faster and Safer with PeprBreaking the Myths of DevSecOpsBuilding Trust and Security in the DoD: A DevSecOps Perspective