The Global Signal

From Defense to Venture: Dr. Reginald Turner on Tech, Investment, and Inclusion

In this episode of The Global Signal Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Reginald Turner, a PhD-powered strategist, venture investor, and former defense technologist, to explore the intersection of national security, frontier technology, and venture capital. With over 30 years of experience spanning the Air Force Research Laboratory, the National Security Agency, and beyond, Dr. Turner brings a rare perspective shaped by translating cutting-edge research into real-world impact. Today, as a Venture Partner at Venture University and through QoCo Ventures, he evaluates emerging technologies, dual-use systems, and the next generation of disruptive startups. We dive into: *  How defense experience shapes strategic thinking in venture capital  *  What investors look for in frontier tech and dual-use startups  *  The future of autonomous systems, optical research, and war-gaming  *  Key opportunities for founders building in deep tech  *  Expanding access and increasing HBCU participation in venture capital  This conversation bridges engineering, investing, and leadership, offering insights for founders, investors, and anyone navigating the future of innovation. Tune in to hear how Dr. Turner is helping shape the next wave of technology and economic empowerment.

Building Bridges: Finance, Policy, and People in African PPPs

In this episode of The Global Signal, we sit down with Advocate Jack Fungayi Matiza to explore the critical intersection of finance, policy, and people in shaping successful public-private partnerships (PPPs) across Africa. From structuring bankable infrastructure projects to navigating the competing incentives of governments, DFIs, and private capital, this conversation dives into what actually determines whether PPPs succeed—or fail—over the long term. We discuss: 1. How incentives differ across financing partners—and why that matters 2. Translating local development priorities into investable projects 3. The most underestimated risks in PPP execution 4. Accountability and performance after financial close 5. The role of natural resources in structuring deals 6. What truly sustainable, win-win PPPs look like in practice Guest Bio:  Jack Matiza is an award-winning public-private partnerships (PPP) expert, serving as Regional Manager at the P3 World Council and Country Director for Orion Infrastructure Africa, where he advises on the structuring, financing, and delivery of sustainable infrastructure projects across Africa. He is Chairman of the UNECE Africa Public-Private Partnerships Network (AP3N) and Founding Director of AA1 Academy, an accredited APMG CP3P training organization. Jack holds an MBA in International Business and a Master’s Certificate in Sustainable Infrastructure Development and Finance, and is an APMG Certified PPP Professional (CP3P) and PRINCE2 Practitioner. He also serves as an ImPPPact Global SDG Alliance Ambassador for Zimbabwe, advancing effective public-private collaboration for sustainable development. Subscribe for more conversations at the frontier of global finance, policy, and strategy.

Diplomacy, Dadhood, and Digital Africa

In this episode of The Global Signal, we’re joined by Dr. Corey Holmes, a former U.S. Foreign Affairs Officer, Africa policy expert, and author. Dr. Holmes shares insights from his decade-long career navigating diplomacy, international relations, and government service, including his time as Acting Director for the Africa Subcommittee at the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs. We explore the personal and professional lessons that inspired his book "Golf, Cigars, & Scotch: Balancing Fatherhood, Friendship, and Fine-Living," diving into practical strategies for integrating personal passions with parenting and mentorship. Dr. Holmes also discusses his work with AfroCom, a groundbreaking digital ecosystem connecting Africa and its diaspora, and how platforms like these are reshaping economic, cultural, and social collaboration across the continent.

The Role of the U.S. in Advancing Stability: China, Africa, and the Long Game

In this episode of The Global Signal, we’re joined by Joseph Schneider, a national security entrepreneur, former U.S. Army Green Beret officer, and strategic advisor with over four decades of experience across the defense, aerospace, and security sectors, to examine how the United States can advance global stability over the long term. The conversation challenges Cold War-style thinking on U.S.–China relations, exploring why collaborative, forward-looking engagement may better serve American interests and what a realistic “win-win” strategy could look like in practice. We then turn to Africa’s rising strategic importance, focusing on the continent’s emerging middle class and its role in shaping America’s future power and influence, before concluding with a discussion of what a credible 30- to 50-year U.S. national strategy would require—and why long-term clarity, rather than reactive policymaking, will define U.S. leadership in the decades ahead.

Alliances Under Strain: World Order, NATO, and Insights from Wheat at War

In this episode of The Global Signal, we sit down with Dr. Paul Poast, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Chicago, to explore the evolving dynamics of global order, alliance politics, and the lessons history offers for contemporary international cooperation. Dr. Poast, a Senior Nonresident Fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and a Foreign Affairs Columnist for World Politics Review, brings his expertise on international security, military alliances, and the economic dimensions of war to our conversation. We discuss how shifting U.S. foreign policy priorities are reshaping global alliances and security landscapes and examine NATO’s role in supporting Ukraine and sustaining long-term regional stability. Drawing on his recent book Wheat at War, Dr. Poast also unpacks how the Allies coordinated economic resources during the First World War, the emergence of innovative supranational institutions under extreme pressure, and the lessons this history holds for managing critical supply chains and global crises today.