White House vs. Microsoft, AI fighter jets, and a visit to a startup founder's Seattle recording ...

This week, we take the GeekWire Podcast to Front Burner Studios (https://www.sethpaulproductions.com/) near Pike Place Market, where our host is studio co-owner Seth Paul, who's also co-founder and CEO of the Seattle security startup Qinsay (https://qinsay.com/) . We discuss the White House crackdown on Microsoft’s green-card sponsorships, hours before President Trump honored Satya Nadella. We also talk about record Seattle startup funding and Shield AI’s plans to build AI-piloted fighter jets in Des Moines, Wash., where a city FAQ assures residents it’s not a data center. Seth tells us about the vintage console he drove from Detroit, and how he brings a musician’s approach to the startup world. Plus, the return of the GeekWire Trivia Challenge. Related links: • Microsoft responds to White House immigration crackdown as Trump honors Nadella (https://www.geekwire.com/2026/microso...) • From H-1B to CEO: How Satya Nadella traveled the path the U.S. just cut off for Microsoft workers (https://www.geekwire.com/2026/from-h-...) • Seattle-area startups raise a record $3.5B as national VC funding cools (https://www.geekwire.com/2026/rocket-...) • Shield AI selects Seattle area to build X-BAT autonomous fighter jet (https://www.geekwire.com/2026/shield-...) • Shield AI lands $150M Navy contract for AI-piloted fighter jet (https://www.geekwire.com/2026/shield-...) With GeekWire co-founders John Cook and Todd Bishop. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.