With global economic alliances shifting and new threats emerging, will the U.S. maintain its dominance in an increasingly complex world?

From chips to cyberterrorist threats to cryptocurrency, battles for global dominance are no longer only fought on the battlefield—they're playing out in markets, boardrooms, and cyberspace. In this episode, we sit down with Juan Zarate, a key member of the post-9/11 Bush Administration team who architected how we combat terrorist financing and think about modern financial warfare.

We explore how the U.S. has used its economic dominance as a powerful weapon—and whether countries like China and Russia are now using the same playbook to push back. Juan shares insights on the weaponization of the dollar, how financial crime networks are evolving in the digital age, and why strategies around cryptocurrency could either threaten or reinforce U.S. economic power.

The conversation dives into the intersection of technology, economic, and national security strategy, tackling key issues like cyber threats, semiconductor supply chains, and the growing role of AI in financial security. Juan also introduces his latest venture, Consilient, which is pioneering federated AI to revolutionize the fight against financial crime.

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Sign up for our newsletter at techsurgepodcast.com for exclusive insights and information about upcoming TechSurge Live Summits.

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Discover how K2 Integrity is shaping the future of financial crime prevention and cybersecurity

https://www.k2integrity.com

Read Juan Zarate’s Treasury’s War to explore the rise of financial warfare in global security
https://www.amazon.com/Treasurys-War-Unleashing-Financial-Warfare/dp/1610391152

Explore Consilient’s groundbreaking approach to financial crime detection using federated AI

https://www.consilient.com

Learn how Coinbase is driving the future of cryptocurrency and digital finance

https://www.coinbase.com

The world is evolving faster than ever – how will we keep up?

From AI breakthroughs to global supply chain disruptions, the forces shaping business and technology today are relentless. In this episode of the TechSurge Deep Tech VC Podcast, we sit down with Bob Sternfels, Global Managing Partner of McKinsey & Company, the global consulting firm who has been on the frontlines of helping businesses and industries navigate relentless change for the past 100 years.

We explore the shifting landscape of venture capital and opportunities for VCs, startups, and consultancies to explore new partnership models. Bob shares his view on shifting global supply chain strategies, why full economic decoupling between the U.S. and China is a dangerous and difficult proposition, and how India may be on track to become the economic powerhouse of the twenty-first century. The discussion digs into the complexities of housing affordability and why the future of housing insurance is at risk – could our homes of the future soon be uninsurable due to climate change?

Bob helps us dive into the evolving demands of 21st-century leadership, where resilience, adaptability, and even humor are becoming essential CEO traits. Bob explains why today’s leaders must rethink their approach to disruption, risk, and innovation – or risk being left behind.

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Sign up for our newsletter at techsurgepodcast.com for exclusive insights and information about upcoming TechSurge Live Summits.

Links:

Check out our video episodes on YouTube

Follow Celesta Capital on LinkedIn and X

Learn more about Bob Sternfels’ leadership at McKinsey & Company

https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/bob-sternfels

Explore McKinsey’s insights on AI and economic disruption

https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/the-economic-potential-of-generative-ai-the-next-productivity-frontier

Learn how climate change is affecting insurance markets

https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/risk-and-resilience/our-insights/navigating-shifting-risks-in-the-insurance-industry

Learn about India’s digital transformation through UPI and Aadhaar

https://www.npci.org.in/what-we-do/upi/product-overview

https://uidai.gov.in/

The future of wireless technology is unfolding, are you ready for what's next?

How can Intel regain market dominance? How will AI and IOT shape the next generation of wireless? What are the challenges in transitioning to 5G, NextG, and beyond? How will academia and the startup world intersect in the 21st century economy?

We explore these questions and more in our latest episode of the TechSurge Deep Tech VC Podcast, as we sit down with Dr. Andrea Goldsmith, Dean of Princeton University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science and a pioneer in wireless communication. Dr. Goldsmith shares insights from her groundbreaking research in multi-antenna systems, the evolution of wireless networks, and the future of cellular technology. We explore her journey as a successful entrepreneur behind Quantenna and Plume WiFi, and her current leadership role as Dean working to build a vibrant engineering and startup ecosystem around Princeton. Dr. Goldsmith also shares her thoughts on the future of Intel, the strategic choices that lie ahead, and its important role within the U.S. tech economy, as well as the broader geopolitical landscape.Enjoyed this conversation? Subscribe now and leave a review to help us grow! Join our newsletter for exclusive insights and upcoming TechSurge Live Summits at techsurgepodcast.com.

Links:

Check out our video episodes on YouTube

Follow Celesta Capital on LinkedIn and X

Learn more about Dr. Goldsmith’s pioneering research at Princeton: https://ece.princeton.edu/people/andrea-goldsmith

Discover Intel's latest innovations: https://www.intel.com/

Explore how Plume WiFi is redefining smart home connectivity: https://www.plume.com/

See how Medtronic is shaping the future of healthcare innovation: https://www.medtronic.com/

Experience the future of autonomous mobility with Zoox: https://zoox.com/