On this episode of the podcast, National Security and China Expert Steve Yates joins Amanda Head to break down why NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) — at over $4B per launch — is unsustainable and plagued by costly delays. Yates explains why America must pivot toward a competitive, private-sector-driven model, highlighting SpaceX’s reusable rocket success as the blueprint for lower cost, higher cadence, and greater capacity in space.

The conversation expands to greater U.S.–China relations, as Yates outlines Beijing’s rapid technological and military advancements and why Washington must take a clear-eyed, balanced approach. With President Trump preparing to meet with Xi Jinping at the end of March, the discussion turns to trade leverage, fentanyl trafficking, and broader security concerns. 

In a deeply personal moment, Yates reflects on the tragic loss of his daughter Christina to fentanyl and why stopping the flow of the drug into America is not just good policy — it gets very personal for loving families like his.

You can follow this podcast, Amanda Head, and Steve Yates on X (formerly Twitter) by searching for the respective handles: @FurthermorePod, @AmandaHead, @SteveYates.