Dan Ward is a Senior Principal Systems Engineer and Innovation Catalyst at MITRE a not-for-profit corporation committed to the public interest, operating federally funded R&D centers on behalf of U.S. government sponsors. In this episode, KJ and Dan share insights on how punk culture's authenticity, DIY ethic, and experimental nature can influence and drive radical changes in the mainstream, displacing conventional methods with innovative solutions. The conversation also touches on the importance of being 'punk enough' in today's fast-paced, status quo-challenging environments, Dan's perspectives on small teams and constraints fostering creativity, and MITRE's unique role as a not-for-profit systems engineering organization focusing on public interest. 

Key Takeaways:

04:13 The Core of Disruption and Innovation - Curiosity

07:38 The Evolution of Punk and Its Impact on Mainstream Culture

14:08 The Power of Communication and Community in Disruption

16:14 Are You Punk Enough? Embracing Your Inner Disruptor

21:26 Punk's Essence and the Magic of Trying New Things

34:32 MITRE's Unique Approach to Problem-Solving

35:31 Finding Punk: Beyond Mainstream Channels

Quote of the Show (21:00):

"Innovation, disruption, and punk, these all happen in the seams, in the edges, in the extremes, and less so in the mainstream." – Dan Ward

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Ways to connect with Dan Ward:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedanward/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thedanward

Company Website: http://www.mitre.org/

Website: https://www.thedanward.com/

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Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

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