{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"497: Ethan Thornton\u2014I Like a Lotta Problems","description":"Ethan Thornton doesn\u2019t shy away from problems\u2014he goes looking for them. At just 22, the founder of Mach Industries is tackling some of the biggest challenges in American defense manufacturing, rethinking how weapons are designed, built, and produced. In this episode, Ethan takes Mike deep into the problem he believes America can no longer afford to ignore: How did we get to a place where China has such an enormous advantage in manufacturing, production capacity, and the ability to produce things at scale? And, more importantly, what are we going to do about it? Ethan explains why the future of American defense may depend less on building increasingly sophisticated\u2014and increasingly expensive\u2014weapons, and more on figuring out how to build more capable weapons that cost dramatically less. He breaks down the theory behind that approach, why affordability and scale can be weapons in their own right, and why innovation in defense manufacturing isn't simply about creating better technology\u2014it's about changing the economics of warfare. And that may be the biggest problem Ethan is trying to solve: not simply how to build the next generation of weapons, but how to build them faster, cheaper, and at a scale that can restore America\u2019s manufacturing advantage. Because when it comes to solving big problems, Ethan doesn\u2019t just like a challenge\u2014he likes a lotta problems. Big thanks to our awesome sponsors ZipRecruiter.com\/Rowe\u2014The recruiting site that really is the smartest way to hire. Post a job for FREE and find a qualified candidate in 24 hours. American-Giant.com\/Mike\u2014American Giant makes clothes that last, and they make them 100% in America.Use code MIKE to get 20% off your order. American Giant\u2014American Made. GoodRanchers.com\/ROWE\u2014Sourcing 100% of their meat from American farms and ranches and delivering straight to your door. Get $50 off anything on their site and get DOUBLE the FREE meat with every order when you start a plan. K12.com\/Rowe\u2014Find a K12-powered school near you and see what's possible for your child with K12's Career and College Prep.   ","author_name":"The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe","author_url":"https:\/\/sites.libsyn.com\/74011","html":"