TechBurst Talks Podcast By Charles Reed Anderson cover art

TechBurst Talks

TechBurst Talks

By: Charles Reed Anderson
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Every tech trend promises to "revolutionize everything." IoT will transform cities. AI will change work forever. Smart Cities will solve urban problems. So why does reality never match the hype? TechBurst Talks gets real answers from the people building these technologies. No vendor pitches, no sugar-coating—just honest conversations about what actually works. Politics & Government
Episodes
  • 063: THE SHIFT TO SPACE: The Rise of Orbital Computing
    Jul 26 2025

    In this episode of Tech Burst Talks, Charles sits down with Rob DeMillo — ex-JPL, serial entrepreneur, SparkLabs Venture Partner, and now CEO of Sophia Space — to unpack one of the most disruptive tech ideas out there: putting compute in orbit.

    Rob walks us through his wild career path from space science to cloud animation, to architecting data centers in the sky. And learn how he was about to produce 7 EXITS from 9 STARTUPS!

    They dive deep into Sophia Space’s modular “tile” technology, built from first principles for space — not retrofitted earth tech — and explore the near-term use cases that matter: defence, air traffic control, disaster response, and real-time edge processing in orbit.

    This isn’t a pitch about sci-fi fantasy — it’s a raw look at how real, scalable, space-based computing is already taking shape. Rob also shares what it really takes to build seven successful startups, why “dumb luck” matters, and the mindset needed to thrive on the edge of what’s possible.

    Show Notes

    00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

    00:37 Career Journey and Achievements

    01:51 Entrepreneurial Ventures and Exits

    04:46 Joining Mandala Space Ventures

    08:51 Sophia Space and Orbital Data Centers

    09:39 Innovative Tile Technology

    12:46 Market and Future Plans

    16:29 Challenges and Opportunities in Space

    18:08 Why Orbital Data Centers?

    19:57 The Heat Problem of Data Centers

    20:29 Advantages of Space-Based Data Centers

    21:23 Use Cases for Space-Based Computing

    22:15 Real-Time Applications and Sensor Fusion

    24:23 Technological Advances Enabling Space Computing

    25:27 Scaling and Deployment of Orbital Data Centers

    27:58 Commercial Applications and Future Prospects

    33:22 Advice for Entrepreneurs

    34:41 Motivation and Future Plans

    38:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    Watch the Video Podcast on YouTube

    https://www.youtube.com/@charlesreedanderson

    Catch the “60 Second Insights” — short hits of the smartest stuff from each episode:

    https://www.youtube.com/@charlesreedanderson/shorts

    Like what you see? Subscribe and hit the bell — or don’t, and miss the future while it’s happening.

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    40 mins
  • 062: TELCO'S FUTURE? Look to the Middle East, Not the West
    Jul 1 2025

    Middle East’s Tech Revolution: From Regional Ambitions to Global Leadership

    In this episode of TechBurst Talks, Charles sits down with Danial Mausoof, Vice President of Mobile Networks for the Middle East & Africa at Nokia, to explore how the region is transforming into a global tech powerhouse.

    From government-driven infrastructure investments to next-gen telecom innovation, the Middle East is no longer playing catch-up — it’s leapfrogging the rest of the world.

    We dive into:

    • Why the Middle East is attracting global talent and tech capital

    • The rise of private 5G networks in Saudi and the UAE

    • How AI, network APIs, and 6G are redefining telecoms

    • Why telcos must crack the monetisation code — or risk being left behind

    • The role of satellite connectivity in Africa and beyond

    • And how this region is becoming the proving ground for global telecom innovation

    Danial also breaks down the regional nuances, the critical importance of trust-based business culture, and what telcos must do to turn hype into actual business outcomes.

    ⏱️ Show Notes:

    00:00 – Welcome and Introduction

    00:22 – Danial’s Role and Background at Nokia

    01:56 – Middle East Innovation and Visionary Leadership

    03:21 – Geopolitical Risks and Stability in the Region

    06:34 – Talent Influx, Trust-Based Business Culture

    22:19 – Private 5G Networks in Action (ADNOC, Aramco)

    26:39 – 6G, AI, and the Next Telecom Leap

    29:24 – Satellite as a Complement to Traditional Networks

    31:57 – Why the Middle East Is a Testbed for Global Innovation

    35:37 – Final Thoughts and What’s Next

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    37 mins
  • 061: CORPORATE CROSSFIRE: Navigating the New Global Order
    Jun 6 2025

    In this explosive Tech Burst Talks episode, host Charles sits down with Andrew Staples, a battle-tested geopolitical expert who made the leap from The Economist to founding his own advisory firm, GeoPol Asia.

    Together, they dissect how corporations across Asia are caught in the crossfire of escalating US-China tensions, tariff wars, and supply chain disruptions. This isn't just academic analysis - it's corporate survival intelligence from the trenches.

    Staples reveals how multinationals are paralysed by uncertainty, with investment plans on hold whilst executives scramble to navigate everything from Vietnam's tariff backlash to China's strategic overseas expansion.

    The conversation exposes the volatile landscape where Singapore battles the Middle East for innovation talent, venture capital dries up across Southeast Asia, and Western MNCs find themselves demoted to third-tier priorities by nervous headquarters.

    From the miscalculation risks that keep geopolitical experts awake at night to Japan's demographic time bomb spurring unprecedented innovation, this episode delivers the tactical insights C-suite leaders need to thrive when caught between superpowers.

    Whether you're repositioning supply chains or managing expat teams in Asia's dynamic markets, Staples provides the intelligence needed to survive the corporate crossfire of our fractured global order.

    SHOW NOTES:

    00:08 Introduction and Guest Background


    04:17 Geopolitical Climate and Business Impact


    06:44 Navigating Uncertainty in Asia


    11:02 China's Strategy and Global Influence


    13:57 Challenges for Western MNCs in Asia


    15:54 Middle East vs. Asia: Innovation and Investment


    20:05 VC Slowdown and Future Strategies


    22:09 Advice for Western Expats in Asia


    23:31 Networking and Curiosity in Asia


    24:52 Geopolitical Risks in Asia


    26:22 Future Prospects and Global Order


    29:58 Personal Reflections and Predictions


    37:27 The Allure of Japan


    39:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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    41 mins
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