Conversations at the Breaking Point of Innovation

Max Q is a podcast where we talk to founders, builders, and leaders navigating the high-stakes moment when bold ideas either launch—or stall.
Named for the point of maximum dynamic pressure during rocket flight, Max Q explores what it really takes to get through that pressure—whether you’re raising capital, launching to market, or pushing the edge of what's possible in tech, science, or systems change.
Each episode features honest conversations with innovators across sectors—startups, defense, aerospace, AI, public sector, climate, and more—sharing the lessons that don’t show up on pitch decks or LinkedIn.

What You’ll Hear:

- Real stories from venture-backed and mission-driven founders

- Insight from investors, ecosystem leaders, and public sector experts

- Candid takes on failure, funding, pivots, and persistence

- Strategies for raising capital, building trust, and scaling what works

For Founders, Doers, and the Curious
If you’re building something new—and need to know how others have done it, broken it, and built it again—this podcast is for you.

27:03

Startup Stories - Melissa Chalfant

In this episode of Beyond Max Q, host Mollie Jahner interviews Melissa Chalfant, a venture capitalist and founder at Inventures. They discuss Melissa's journey into venture capital, her experiences in building a network of innovative founders, and the importance of trust in investment relationships. The conversation also touches on the intersection of defense technology and consumer tech, the significance of community support for startups, and practical go-to-market strategies for founders. Melissa emphasizes the need for collaboration among tech companies and the impact of small investments in early-stage startups. Connect with Melissa and check out what she is up to: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissachalfant/ https://inventures.team/home Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Melissa Chalfant 03:07 Journey into Venture Capital and Startups 06:10 Building a Cohort of Innovators 09:06 Exiting a Business and Transitioning to Angel Investing 12:03 Trust and Relationships in Investment 14:59 Complementary Technologies and Collaboration 18:14 The Intersection of Defense Tech and Consumer Technology 21:08 Go-to-Market Strategies for Founders 24:16 Community and Support for Startups

33:03

Startup Stories - Ryan Steidl

In this episode of Beyond Max Q, host Mollie Jahner engages with Ryan Steidl, a partner at Constangy, to explore the intersection of cybersecurity and law. They discuss the importance of proactive engagement in cybersecurity, the threats posed by social engineering and AI, and the unique challenges faced by startups and small businesses in protecting their data. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of cybersecurity regulations and the necessity for organizations to adapt to new threats while maintaining compliance. Connect with Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryansteidl/ https://www.constangy.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Cybersecurity and Law 02:41 The Role of Compliance in Cybersecurity 05:34 Proactive vs Reactive Cybersecurity Engagement 08:29 Understanding Cyber Insurance 11:19 Social Engineering and AI Threats 14:30 The Landscape of Cyber Threats 17:32 Cybersecurity for Startups 20:34 Establishing Policies and Procedures 23:30 Risk Assessment and Management 26:28 Current Trends in Cybersecurity 29:36 Conclusion and Recommendations

24:57

Startup Stories - Pamela Potts

In this episode of Beyond Max Q, host Mollie Jahner interviews Pamela Potts, founder and CEO of Leader Coach Approach. They discuss the importance of leadership development, team dynamics, and the challenges founders face in leadership roles. Pamela shares insights on conflict resolution, avoiding burnout, and the significance of self-awareness in leadership. She emphasizes the need for leaders to understand their energy levels and how to manage them effectively. The conversation also touches on the value of vision boards and the importance of staying curious and open-minded in the face of challenges. Connect with Pamela and see what she is working on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelapotts1/ https://leadercoachapproach.com/ A link to Pamela's book: https://go.leadercoachapproach.com/sales-page Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Leadership Coaching 02:08 Understanding Leadership and Team Development 05:12 Conflict Resolution as a Leadership Skill 08:05 Pamela's Journey and Experience in Leadership 12:03 Navigating Leadership Reluctantly 15:05 Avoiding Burnout and Managing Energy 18:03 The Importance of Vision Boards 20:07 Final Thoughts and Future Aspirations

41:16

Startup Stories - Allan Grosvenor

In this episode of Beyond Max Q, host Mollie Jahner interviews Allan Grosvenor, CEO of three innovative companies. Allan shares his journey from a curious child fascinated by science fiction to a successful entrepreneur in the fields of artificial intelligence, digital engineering, and nuclear technology. He discusses the importance of mentorship, the challenges of being a founder, and the exciting advancements in nuclear technology through his company Tam Fortis Solutions. Allan also provides valuable advice for aspiring founders on the importance of networking and customer discovery. Check out what Allan is working on and connect with him: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allangrosvenor/ https://tamfortis.com/ https://nexcavate.com/ https://microsurgeonbot.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Alan Grovener's Journey 10:42 The Importance of Early Learning and Mentorship 17:56 Exploring the Innovations of Tam Fortis Solutions 33:57 Insights for Founders: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities