The Boldly Go Podcast

BOLDLY GO is the podcast where big ideas meet the future of public safety. Hosted by Axon Founder and CEO Rick Smith and former Seattle PD COO Mike Wagers, each episode explores the transformative tech, visionary leaders, and pioneering ventures shaping tomorrow. Hear unfiltered conversations with the innovators redefining what’s possible—because the future doesn’t wait.
Latest Episode: #25
In this episode, Axon co-founder Tom Smith shares the untold stories behind Taser’s early days. Alongside his brother Rick Smith, Tom reflects on the scrappy startup years—testing prototypes on themselves, chasing their first big break with Sharper Image, surviving near bankruptcy, and being forced to move production to Mexico after regulatory barriers made it impossible to operate as a U.S. company. The conversation dives into the wild risks, unconventional branding, and relentless perseverance that transformed an underdog startup into a global company reshaping modern policing. It’s a candid look at the chaos, grit, and mission-driven passion that fueled Axon’s journey from kitchen-table idea to world-changing technology.
