Impact Theory With Tom Bilyeu

Welcome back to Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu. In this episode, Tom sits down with entrepreneur and venture capitalist Joe Lonsdale for a thought-provoking conversation about American resilience, defense innovation, and the values shaping our future. Joe shares his journey from grappling with the ethics of building defense technology at Palantir to championing a new wave of patriot-driven innovation at Anduril. Together, Tom and Joe tackle tough questions—like the morality of maximum lethality, the changing threats facing the West, and how America can regain its competitive and cultural edge in a rapidly shifting world. Joe doesn’t shy away from controversy, offering candid insights into the dangers of “suicidal empathy,” the rise of China, and why internal dysfunction poses as great a risk as any foreign adversary. They dig deep into how to instill a culture of excellence—both in business and government—discussing what it takes to bring back courage, merit, and strong leadership in institutions. Along the