Deep Pockets

Financial systems today face a new reality: security is no longer just a technical issue, but a strategic, regulatory, and economic mandate. In this episode of Deep Pockets, Petra Soderling speaks with Joe Ghalbouni about how financial institutions are responding to rising digital risk, increasing regulatory pressure, and the growing complexity of modern technology stacks. Together, they explore what resilience really means for global finance, and why translating between regulation, technology, and business has become mission‑critical.Resources:EU's Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) https://www.eiopa.europa.eu/digital-operational-resilience-act-dora_enJoe Ghalbouni LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeghalbouni/Ghalbouni consulting https://ghalbouniconsulting.com/Support the show

Petra is joined by Camille Georges, Quantum Technology Specialist at the World Economic Forum, to discuss why the emerging quantum industry risks leaving women behind and how we can fix it now. They explore the gender pipeline in physics and computer science, the importance of diversity in frontier tech, and what it will take to build a more inclusive quantum future.Resources:Camille Georges, LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/camillemjgeorges/WEF article 'Why the quantum revolution risks leaving women behind – and what to do about it' https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/03/quantum-revolution-gender-divide/Petra's Deep Policy article 'How to talk about Women and Technology'https://petrasoderling.substack.com/p/how-to-talk-about-women-and-technologySupport the show

The United Nations International Year of Quantum 2025 was never just about celebrating science. It was about deciding how a powerful new technological era should be built, governed, and shared. Claudia Fracchiolla, the Secretariat Coordinator for the IYQ joins us to debrief what was achieved and what happens next. Join the IYQ Closing Ceremony here https://quantum2025.org/iyq-closing-ceremony-information-2/Previous recording with Claudia https://petrasoderling.com/s4e2Substack from UNESCO opening https://petrasoderling.substack.com/p/unesco-paris-quantum?r=1rijxnRecording with Jesús Sánchez Herrero https://petrasoderling.com/s5e5Support the show

The European Quantum Technologies Conference - EQTC - 2025 was buzzing! From policy and industry to startups and unicorns, Europe’s quantum ecosystem faces a high-stakes moment. Listen in for interviews, insights, and why this is the moment to hop into quantum. Joining me on this episode are guests from across the quantum ecosystem, sharing their insights on Europe’s high-stakes moment:Oscar Diez, Head of Sector for Quantum Computing at European CommissionCecile M. Perrault, Vice President at the European Quantum Industry Consortium QuICYasser Omar, President of PQI – Portuguese Quantum InstituteSalil Gunashekar, Deputy Director and Senior Research Leader, Science and Emerging Technology, RAND EuropeRoman Pašek, R&D Project Conception & Management, Quantum Technology, AmiresSamira Nik, Programme Manager for Quantum Tech and Electronics, EICJan Goetz, CEO & Co-Founder, IQM Quantum ComputersMichael Baczyk, VC at HeartcoreTommi Hakulinen, Product Manager, VexlumCorban Tillemann-Dick, Founder & CEO of Maybell Quantum IndustriesSupport the show

"Complexity is the biggest enemy of security."Janne Uusilehto, a veteran who has led security and privacy engineering at Nokia, Microsoft, and Google, joins the podcast to peel back the curtain on the hidden world of cybersecurity standards.He reveals why industry rivals, like the original mobile phone giants, agreed to rules that ultimately generated massive passive income to intellectual property owners, and how this collaboration actually accelerates innovation.We discuss the emerging threats that keep security leaders up at night, including AI-driven polymorphic attacks and the risks hidden in the code supply chain. Finally, Uusilehto offers his candid take on geopolitics and tech policy, arguing that over-regulation in places like the EU risks stifling necessary innovation.Tune in to understand why investing in people is more critical than investing in tools, and how the rules you never see are securing the digital world you live in.Support the show

In this episode of Deep Pockets, Petra sits down with Chris McClean, Global Lead for Digital Ethics at Avanade, to explore the delicate balance between trust, power, and technology. Chris unpacks his research on the risks and benefits of trusting relationships, and the moral obligations that come with endorsing others. The conversation ranges from the global “grievance” mood captured by the Edelman Trust Barometer to the complexities of AI governance and responsible tech. Chris shares why organizational culture is key to ethical AI, how incentives shape behavior, and why trust isn’t always the goal; sometimes warranted distrust is healthier. It’s a thoughtful deep dive into ethics, responsibility, and hope for a more accountable digital future.Find Chris on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-mcclean/Find the Edelman Trust barometer 2025 https://www.edelman.com/trust/2025/trust-barometerPodcast homepage https://petrasoderling.com/podcastSupport the show

What does it mean to be truly creative in an age of AI? Inspired by the Robert and Michele Root-Bernstein's book 'Sparks of Genius - the 13 thinking tools of the world's most creative people', this episode explores the artistry of interdisciplinary thinking with Jesús Sánchez Herrero. From abstraction and modeling to analogizing and empathizing, we delve into the 13 tools that polymaths use to blend science and art—and ask what makes human imagination so uniquely powerful.Support the show

What does it mean to belong in complex and cutting-edge tech fields? In this episode, we sit down with Juliette De La Rie, CEO of Colorful Matter, to explore how identity, intuition, and inclusion shape the future of deep tech. Juliette shares her personal journey from feeling like an outsider in tech to becoming a powerful advocate for culture-driven innovation. We talk about bridging the gap between hard science and human needs, building community in emerging industries, and why belonging is more than a buzzword—it’s a blueprint for better technology.Also ... hear what happened when I took the unconscious bias test. Juliette de la Rie https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliettedelarie/Colorful Matter https://www.colorfulmatter.eu/Support the show

We’ve spoken about the energy industry a few times in this podcast, most recently about innovation in our current nuclear energy power plants. These are the fission based plants. Today, we’re going to learn about the future of nuclear, that is the fusion based nuclear power plants. My guest is Laura Thomas, Chief Strategy Officer at Fuse, a fusion energy company building toward a clean and near-limitless energy source. About Fuse https://www.f.energy/Laura Thomas https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-thomas123/Deep Pocket podcast https://petrasoderling.com/podcastNewsletter https://petrasoderling.substack.com/aboutSupport the show

In his book The Rise of the Creative Class, Richard Florida argues that creativity is the nourishment of new economic growth, and introduces the three T's; Technology as a platform, talent to do the creative process, and tolerance from the surrounding society to allow this talent to shine. My guest Ceridwen 'Ceri' Koski, Partner at Denver, CO based law firm WR Immigration lays out the strategies and practical steps for U.S. companies to make the most of creative international talent. Resources:Ceri Koski LinkedIn posts https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceridwenkoski/WR Immigration https://wolfsdorf.com/Richard Florida https://creativeclass.com/richard_florida/Support the show

It's March 2025. The U.S. administration is turning on its allies south, north and east, the EU is amplifying its defense capabilities, Ukraine is being let down, science is under attack, and tech bros keep demand more and more. I'm taking Deep Pockets closer to policy, as now is not the time to be silent. Season 5 will discuss innovation policy in the U.S. and Europe. I will invite guests who bring forward thoughts and ideas on how to build our future on the right side of history. Support the show

Tanya Ramond, technology commercialization architect, authority in Deep Tech, and the founder and CEO of Sapienne Consulting, discusses her recent article on science and engineering policy. Why the adoption of technology, turning R&D into usable products and services, should be the key metric when writing and evaluating policy?Published by Dynamic Tech Media, the article can be found here Tech Adoption in American Policy | Dynamic Tech MediaSupport the show

Both the United States and the European Union held their big elections this year. The U.S. elected a new President, and changed the balance of power in the House and the Senate that govern 335 million Americans. The EU elected a new Parliament and is in the process of appointing new Commissioners, steering the future for 450 million Europeans. What does this mean in DeepTech? How will this impact Industrial Policy, and the Transatlantic relations? Milja Kalliosaari, Government Relations Manager at IQM Quantum Computers, and Finland's delegate to NATO's Transatlantic Quantum Community shares her insight. Support the show

It’s clear we cannot keep using fossil fuels, and it’s clear that wind and solar alone can’t fulfill all of the increasing energy needs that we have. So something has to be done: We need Innovation. Today's  guest is someone who knows everything about nuclear energy, innovation, and their economic impact. Emma Wong is Principal Leader in Nuclear Engagement, Strategy, and Innovation at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). She just finished her secondment as the Senior Nuclear Technology and Innovation Advisor to the OECD’s Nuclear Energy Agency in the Division of Nuclear technology Development and Economics.What does innovation in nuclear energy look like in 2024?Support the show

The impact of technology has become overwhelming in our societies and in our lives. Technology impacts our personal privacy, our personal safety, but also our national safety, political stability, and even financial well-being. If we think about new fields of science and technology coming into mainstream commercial use - most recently AI and increasingly quantum come to mind - what are the types of things that we should be doing now in order to avoid unwanted consequences in the future. Today's guest is someone who knows this world inside-out. Christina Willis wears many hats; she's a scientist who's career has taken her from industry to the legislation chambers and back again. Support the show

Since 2022, the world’s Quantum ecosystem has gathered in Washington DC to bring a quantum-ready future into focus. As you will hear from these interviews, Quantum World Congress is the world’s premier gathering for quantum technology leaders, innovators, and visionaries. The air was filled with hope, camaraderie, laughter, and optimism. I attended the full 2024 event, including a precursor that was organized by the Embassy of Finland in Washington DC together with Johns Hopkins Science Policy and Diplomacy Group, as well as the pre-event International Forum ... with a microphone in hand.Interviewees in the order of appearance:André König, CEO of Global Quantum Intelligence (GQI)Lincoln Carr, Quantum Education and Research Consultant; Professor of Physics and Quantum EngineeringCorban Tilleman-Dick, Founder & CEO of Maybell Quantum Industries, Chair, Elevate QuantumDr. Bob Sutor, Vice President and Practice Lead, Emerging Technologies, Futurum Group Omid Noroozian, Ph.D., Deputy Chief Technologist, Astrophysics Division, NASARajat Ghosh, Manager, National Quantum Strategy Secretariat at Innovation, Science and Economic Development, CanadaAravind Ratnam, Chief Strategy Officer (Q-CTRL), AustraliaAndreas Masuhr, Head of the Quantum Initiative, Akademie der Naturwissenschaften Schweiz (SCNAT), SwitzerlandTomas Andersson, Senior Research Officer, Swedish Research CouncilLene B. Oddershede, Senior Vice President, Professor, Novo Nordisk Foundation, DenmarkJarmo Sareva - Consul General, Ambassador, Consulate General of Finland in New YorkPetri Koikkalainen, Counselor for Science and Education, Embassy of Finland in Washington DCFikriye Selen-Okatan, Senior Advisor, Digital Technologies and Startups, Business Finland in New YorkCelia Merzbacher, QED-C Executive Director at SRI InternationalGeorge Thomas, President of Connected DMV, organizer of Quantum World CongressSupport the show

Even though quantum computers are not in wide use yet, it is well known that they have the potential to break the encryption system that is in use in most modern computing systems. Across the globe, governments are beginning to prepare for the opportunities, but also to the threats that quantum computers will introduce. Danika Hannon, Deputy Head of the Quantum Strategy Institute, will tell us how the U.S., Europe, and Asian countries protect themselves against potential future threats. Support the show

Take any device in your home with a screen; your phone, your computer, your TV, there’s a high likelihood that the display is built in South Korea, or by a South Korean company. At the very least whoever built it has licensed technology from South Korea. That’s kind of amazing. How did this Asian country become to dominate this piece of technology? Listen to this story from Government and Innovation - the Economic Developer's Guide to our Future, available in Amazon. Support the show

The EU's Artificial Intelligence Act came into force August 1, 2024. This is the most comprehensive legislation on the topic. What does it entail, who is affected, how to comply? Meeri Haataja, CEO and Co-Founder of Saidot is one of Europe’s leading experts on AI governance. This episode discusses policy, innovation, social impact, and human interest stories of one humanity’s most disruptive modern technology. Support the show

Bob Sutor worked at IBM for nearly 40 years, creating the modern IT infrastructure and industry. His most recent area of expertise, quantum computing, turns out to be the most exciting of them all. In this episode, Bob tells us why we are now in a point in history when the quantum industry needs its "Apollo program", a large scale government funded program and industrial policy that will take us to the next level. Support the show

How does recruiting in AI differ from recruiting in biotech, or quantum? Who is currently hiring, startups, corporations, or the academia? Will deeptech founders ever use professional recruiting companies? Any differences between North America and Europe? Answers to these, and other burning deeptech recruitment questions by Amir Rasool from Orion Technology. Support the show

Claudia Fracchiolla, Public Engagement at the American Physical Society takes us behind the scenes to how the idea to have 2025 nominated as the United Nations's International Year of Quantum happened, who was involved, and what happens next. Support the show

Season 1 was launched in October 2021 as I was writing by book Government and Innovation, the Economic Developer’s Guide to our Future. I wanted to have conversations with people in the crossroads of technology and government in order to better understand the landscape, and also to collect interviews and material for the book. Which I did, and I’m extremely grateful to all of those people. Season 2 began just as the book was coming out, in February 2023. With season 2 I wanted to give the audience a taste of the book, now that it was available on Amazon. Each episode is loosely linked to a chapter in the book, covering both government funded technologies as well as various means for governments to support innovation. Season 3 opened in the beginning of 2024. Here I wanted to celebrate other nonfiction authors who had written books that talk about, or support the idea of publicly funded research and innovation. I found six fabulous books that everyone who is interested in this topic should read. Having organized, booked, scripted, recorded and edited 27 episodes I must confess I’m looking for something that wouldn’t be so time consuming. Hence, the Random Rendezvous. In Season 4 I can book whoever I want, to talk about whatever they want. No script, no agenda, just a friendly conversation on a topic that’s current or interesting. I will invite people I meet in conferences, online, or authors of books I read. There will always be a link to technology, innovation, or economic development, that’s for sure. But I also want to keep the mind open to discover something new and exciting. I can’t wait to see what it will be. Whatever it is, I hope you enjoy it. Support the show

With this closing session of Season 3 - the book club - I'm talking to Chris Elliott from Studio Aguze. We had some fun moments recording my audiobook, and want to celebrate nonfiction authors by offering insight into the audiobook recording process. I hope you've enjoyed Seas 3, and talk to you soon again. Support the show

Brian Lenahan of the Quantum Strategy Institute talks about his two passions; the writing process and quantum. The latest book 'On the Shoulders of Giants: 10 Quantum Pioneers of the Past' talks about the  people in distant and recent past who inspire the scientists, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts of today.  Who were the mathematicians, the tinkerers, the builders and philosophers that brought us the quantum science we commercialize today. Support the show

Within the next ten years, the anti-aging industry will be world's biggest industry. It will no longer be just about "looking younger" or "feeling younger". It will be, through science, about "solving the problem of the aging of the human body". This is the promise of the book The Death of Death - The Scientific Possibility of Physical Immortality and its Moral Defense by by José Luis Cordeiro and David Wood. Support the show

It may be a surprise that radio spectrum is a limited resource, becoming more and more limited as new uses and users are being added.  Today’s guest Jennifer A. Manner knows everything about this subject as she literally wrote the book, many books in fact, about the standardization, allocation, and innovation around radio waves. Her most recent book 'Spectrum Wars - The Rise of 5G and Beyond' discusses the evolving international spectrum regulatory landscape and how to meet the growing demand for spectrum for 5G , 6G and beyond.Support the show

Kimberly Clausing's book defends the global economic integration, and suggests ways for Americans to first of all, ride along and not become crushed by international realities, but also to create national policies within the U.S. to equip workers for the modern economy, better tax policies, and better partnerships between tax payers and businesses. Support the show

Wealthcare - Demystifying Web3 and the Rise of Personal Data Economies by Dr. Brigitte Piniewski introduces the imperative for individually specific health intelligence. As Web3 and AI advance new technical instruments, diverse stakeholders are desperate for a clear understanding of the path to society's next data-driven wealth inflection. How can decentralized personalization lead to human-in-the-loop decision-making.Support the show

For many private companies creating products in nascent technologies, government agencies are the first paying customers. How would a small business go about discovering and creating these contracts. Dan Roche’s book “The Total Beginner's Handbook for Doing Business with the Government - A Plain Language, Easy-to-Understand, and Mildly Entertaining Guide to a Complicated and Often Misunderstood Business” will get you started. Support the show

Welcome back to Deep Pockets, the show that brings you insight and knowledge on the birth and dissemination of deep technologies, the role of different stakeholders, and what it takes to make a successful innovation-based economic plan. Support the show

University spin-off team, or university drop-out founder? Today we discuss tech transfer from academia to markets and who owns inventions realized in companies and universities. Today's guest is the former president of Licensing Executives Society Scandinavia, Olli Pekonen, who has extensive experience in patenting hi-tech inventions. What would be the best model to foster maximum innovation potential out of the brightest scientists and innovators of our time? How to make sure inventors get a fair share or at least something of profits?Support the show

Space is becoming an increasingly interesting playground for private companies. What are the next great milestones of the space industry we will likely see in recent years? In the studio with me is the maestro of the space industry, Arfan Chaudhry, Vice President of Strategy and Partnerships in the Saudi Space Commission, former International Director of the UK Space Agency.Support the show

Our modern society may need more cyber security experts than soldiers. What do you think of this sentence? Thought-provoking? Today's guest, the multitalented Danika Hannon, gives us the lay of the land of the fascinating world of cyber security, where AI and quantum are adding new layers of challenges. Even though the cyber security industry is increasingly critically important to individuals, companies, and societies, it is in a serious shortage of skilled professionals.Support the show

Education innovators want to make learning easier and more fun for children – but how a successful educational innovation is created? This and many other topics with me is discussing today Märt Aro, an expert in educational innovation from Estonia, a land of such start-up success stories like Skype, and also an outstanding achiever in the PISA results. Märt is a founder of several education companies and NGOs, the latest being DreamApply.com. Support the show

On November 15, 2021, President Joe Biden signed into law a 1.2 trillion dollar bill, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. How will this law and its budget affect the transition toward cleaner energy and a healthier environment? In the studio Rao Konidena, author of Modern Electricity Systems: Engineering, Operations, and Policy.Support the show

We are all interested in our health, but as taxpayers and voters, we should also be interested in the health of our fellow citizens, coworkers, teachers, bus drivers, and CEOs. In this episode, Charlie Schick, Ph.D. in molecular biology, is "crafting bits-atoms-narratives in a physical-digital-sublime world" for us. Support the show

Jon Radoff, a famed game designer, spokesperson on AI and virtual worlds, and a self-described “metavert” designed the concept ‘the seven layers of Metaverse’. What is metaverse, why do we need it, who is creating it, and who is using it? Does the government play a role? Join our conversation peeling off the layers of metaverse. Support the show

Can start-up entrepreneurs and academic scientists speak the same language? Can one person be both of those things at the same time? We interview the multi-talent Tanya Ramond, who holds a PhD in physics, runs her own company, mentors space start-ups at Techstars, reviews programs at NSF, and oh, also plays the violin and speaks French. Join our talk and discover practical tools for commercializing science. Support the show

Robert Beletic, call sign ‘Surf’, sat down with us to talk about his long career in the US Air Force, the Canadian Air Force, and UAE Ministry of Defense. How does a long career in the operational and strategic national security environment prepare someone for an economic development role? In this case, extremely well. Join us to hear what this Top Gun is doing for the Colorado Aerospace industry. Support the show

Strategizing trade, creating public policies around trade, and executing on those is not a privilege reserved for nations only. Even states can create and boost federal and international trade. Gabrielle Gerbaud, Executive Director of the Minnesota Trade Office, shares her trade toolbox with us, including tax policies, diplomacy, direct commercial guidance, and free-trade zones. How does Minnesota, the second happiest state in the US and the birthplace of inventions like Post-it notes, create its trade policy?Support the show

Is the US making most of its immigration potential? Is the system working for American companies in demand of smart and educated employees? Is it working for those immigrants? Silicon Valley Specialist Attorney in Immigration and Nationality Law, Sophie Alcorn, has firsthand experience in working with tech professionals, startups, and Fortune 100 companies. Join our conversation on immigration, technology, aspirations and the good life. Support the show

New Orleans is described as the northernmost Caribbean city with a rich cultural heritage.  Michel Hecht, CEO of Greater New Orleans Inc. talks to us how economic development efforts on federal, state, and local level have enabled Nola tech companies to create $2.5 billion worth of exists since January 2021, how oil and gas rigs are being turned into wind farms, and how NASA, Lockheed Martin and Boeing are creating the New Orleans Space Campus. Support the show

Climate crisis, Russia's aggression, Cybersecurity: Many good reasons to reduce dependency from static, large fossil fuel based energy infrastructures. Rao Konidena, Founder and CEO of Rakon Energy LLC walks us through the logistics, finances, and policy aspects of distributed, aggregated energy grids.  Support the show

The US, EU, China and other states have announced public initiatives worth of billions, in support of quantum technology development in their regions. Celia Merzbacher, the Executive Director at the US based Quantum Economic Development Consortium QED-C, discusses the public and private quantum economic dynamics that will have a tectonic impact on how nations  will prosper in the future. Support the show

Why is CIA investing in tech startups? Should the Department of Defense be responsible for basic science? Was 9/11 good or bad for innovation? Laura Thomas, a specialist in National Security and  Emerging Technologies discusses the role of national safety, budgeting and public procurement in how they affect technology innovation. Support the show

In 2001 Ora Lassila, James Hendler, and Tim Berners-Lee publish a paper in the Scientific American titled The Semantic Web. This would be a new form of Web content that is meaningful to computers rather than humans and will unleash a revolution of new possibilities. Then what happened? Dr. Ora Lassila tells the story. Support the show

David Wood, Futurist, Catalyst, Author, and Singularitarian shares the fascinating stories of the early smartphone industry. "The story of the evolution of smartphones is fascinating in its own right – for its rich set of characters, and for its colourful set of triumphs and disasters. But the story has wider implications. Many important lessons can be drawn from careful review of the successes and, yes, the failures of the smartphone industry." Support the show

"Any investor that invests into quantum computing and expects a liquidity event other than exit is fooling her or himself".  André M. König, CEO of Entanglement Capital talks quantum computing, public support and private investment landscape. Support the show

In the spring of 2020 I realized I was spending too much time watching Netflix, and reading too few books. I stumbled upon Dr Mariana Mazzucato's The Entrepreneurial State. That led to a journey into technologies, governments, and deeply rooted worldviews. Support the show