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



Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.



Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval



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/



How to get more Disruption/Interruption: 

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

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

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD

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&amp;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
 
Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.
 
Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: <a href="https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval">https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval</a>
 
Ways to connect with Dan Ward:
LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedanward/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedanward/</a>
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/thedanward">https://twitter.com/thedanward</a>
Company Website: <a href="http://www.mitre.org/">http://www.mitre.org/</a> 
Website: <a href="https://www.thedanward.com/">https://www.thedanward.com/</a>
 
How to get more Disruption/Interruption: 
Amazon Music - <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption">https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption</a>
Apple Podcast - <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755</a>
Spotify - <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD">https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD</a>

When did you say ”THAT’S IT! I’VE HAD IT!”? Time to Disrupt and Interrupt with host Karla Jo. Every week KJ interviews professionals who are disrupting their industries and altering economic networks that have been antiquated with bull-headed predecessors holding up the progress.

KJ delves into uncovering more from industry rebels and innovators that you didn’t know you needed in your life.

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