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The Merge

The Merge
Ukraine
Royal Canadian Air Force
Lockheed Martin
F-35
Raytheon
Department Of Defense
Government Contracting
Replicator Initiative
Sea Gliders
National Defense
Japan
Proposal Writing
AI Tools
Marine Corps
NASAMS
NATO
U.S. Military
Transport
Electric Vehicles
Regent

Military technology, trends, and national security...presented with unique insights, salt, and wit from combat aviator veterans and industry experts. Fence in for interviews and anecdotes about the ins, outs, and happenings at the intersection of technology, industry, strategy, and policy of aerospace and national defense. Brought to you by The Merge newsletter.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes54Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Government

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Artwork for The Merge

Latest Episodes

Mike sits down with Steve “Wingie” Wingfield to discuss the Joint Direct Attack Munition, aka the JDAM—the world’s first operational GPS-aided bomb.

Wingie played a big role in the Air Force, doing weaponsflight testing and requirements writing, the... more

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In this episode, Mike sits down with Dan Jablonsky, CEO ofUrsa Major, to discuss solid rocket motors and how Ursa Major is doing it differently.

Once dominated by just two suppliers, America’s SRM propulsion base has been stretched thin—leaving gaps... more

Electronic warfare is a crucial element of armed conflict involving controlling and protecting the electromagnetic spectrum, which is vital for communication, navigation, and target identification.

EW also permits the disruption and denial of adver... more

In this episode, Mike and Jake catch up on defense techhappenings.

Links

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• ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠

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00:36 intro

03:31 de... more

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Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Steve Wingfield
A veteran involved in the development of the JDAM and GPS-guided munitions.
Episode: E50 – JDAM: the GPS-Guided Bomb
Dan Jablonsky
CEO of Ursa Major
Ursa Major
Episode: E49 – Ursa Major Solid Rocket Motors
Chuck Angus
Director of Business Development and Naval Power at Raytheon
Raytheon
Episode: The Future of Air Warfare: Offensive Electronic Attack (Sponsored)
Tom Wiley
Senior Director, Integrated Solutions, Modeling and Architecture at Raytheon.
Raytheon
Episode: The Future of Air Warfare: Modeling & Simulation (Sponsored)
Grip Beissner
Director of Requirements and Capabilities of Radio Frequency Solutions at Raytheon
Raytheon
Episode: The Future of Air Warfare: Radars (Sponsored)
Jon Norman
Vice President of Requirements and Capabilities at Raytheon
Raytheon
Episode: The Future of Air Warfare: Weapons (Sponsored)
Brett Abbamonte
Senior defense analyst and program manager for ELITE
Advanced Strategic Insight (ASI)
Episode: E46 – Expendable Tech for F-35 Threat Training
John Warden
Retired Air Force Colonel, strategist, and advocate for air power.
Episode: E45 – Operational War w/ John Warden
Chip Yates
Founder and CEO of Yates Electrospace Corporation, an innovator in defense technology and electric aviation.
Silent Arrow
Episode: E44 – Silent Arrow

Hosts

Paco
Host discussing defense technology and military history
Mike Benitez
Founder and host discussing military technology and defense strategies
Vincent Aiello
Founder and host of the Fighter Pilot Podcast and co-host on defense technology topics

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 618 ratings
  • Once great, now ok

    The Merge used to be one of my favorite podcasts, providing an unfiltered yet humorous view of defense tech, future conflict, and geopolitics. However, the recent focus has become more corporate and the show has gone downhill. Further, bringing Jello on was a step in the wrong direction as he adds more of the old world bureaucratic military-industrial flavor than he does truly new takes or novel ideas.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    RamenIsGood
    United States4 months ago
  • Awesome Podcast

    Another great episode. Mike is a wealth of knowledge and explains well for us uninformed people.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    60GH
    United States5 months ago
  • Excellent Source!

    After years in the government and military I needed to keep up with the latest news! The Merge provides that fantastically! Keep up the good work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NicktheStick1
    United States5 months ago
  • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Mike is crushing it! Great insight, always informative, and absolutely relevant for current and future challenges. Always looking forward to the next episode/newsletter and will always be a huge advocate. Thanks!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Thommy389
    United States5 months ago
  • You will be smarter about the battlespace when you listen.

    Smart show from a smart guy. Great analysis of warfighting needs and solutions from someone with the background credibility you can trust.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    OT (ret)
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the podcast for its engaging and informative content, often commenting on the hosts' expertise and the insightful discussions on military technology and strategies. Many reviews highlight the informative nature of each episode, making complex topics approachable for those unfamiliar with military matters. While most feedback is positive, some critiques mention a recent shift towards more corporate topics, which some listeners found less appealing than earlier episodes. Overall, the engaging dialogue and variety of subjects covered maintain a strong attraction for a dedicated audience.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#50
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#77
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#93
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#140
Italy/Government
Apple Podcasts
#149
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#156
Germany/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

E46 – Expendable Tech for F-35 Threat Training
Q: Tell me about Snappy McButterpants. How did you get that call sign?
It’s a morphing of two separate call signs related to his eating habits and being the brand new guy in the squadron.
E44 – Silent Arrow
Q: What do you think about the potential for powered Silent Arrows?
The Air Force doesn't necessarily require them to take off autonomously, but we're exploring various options.
E44 – Silent Arrow
Q: What advice would you give your younger self entering the defense tech field?
Don't do it. It's been a lot of work, but ultimately worth it.
E19 – Seagliders: The Next Innovation in Mobility
Q: What are your dual-use applications for the Sea Gliders?
They can effectively serve both commercial transportation needs as well as military logistics, making them versatile in different operational contexts.
E19 – Seagliders: The Next Innovation in Mobility
Q: How is the business scaling given the demand for your product?
The primary focus is on manufacturing scalability and ensuring that operations are well-regulated and adhere to safety standards established by maritime authorities.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Merge

What is The Merge about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on military technology and national security, the content provides insightful discussions enriched by the experiences of combat aviators and industry experts. Notable topics include advancements in weaponry, precision-guided munitions, electronic warfare, and the dynamics of the defense industrial base. The show emphasizes the interplay of technology and policy, presenting anecdotes and expert interviews that highlight current challenges and innovations in military strategy. Its blend of technical detail with a relatable presentation style likely appeals to listeners interested in defense matters and contemporary geopolitical issues, making it both educational and engaging.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Merge?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Merge. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Merge and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Merge get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Merge, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Merge?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Merge, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does The Merge have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Merge has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Merge?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Merge:

1. The Afterburn Podcast
2. Fighter Pilot Podcast
3. 10 Percent True - Tales from the Cockpit
4. The Aerospace Advantage
5. Aviation Week's Check 6 Podcast

How many episodes of The Merge are there?

The Merge launched 3 years ago and published 54 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Merge?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Merge?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Merge from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Merge?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Merge. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Merge?

Recent guests on The Merge include:

1. Steve Wingfield
2. Dan Jablonsky
3. Chuck Angus
4. Tom Wiley
5. Grip Beissner
6. Jon Norman
7. Brett Abbamonte
8. John Warden

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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