The Shawn Ryan Show

Pete Blaber, retired Delta Force commander and former special operations leader, revisits the Pat Tillman case, from his deep investigation to the chaos, friendly fire, and cover-up allegations. He also gets into combat dog programs, Iraq war planning failures, toxic leadership, veteran transition, and practical tools for decision-making under stress.

Pete Blaber, retired Delta Force commander and leadership author, revisits the path that took him from Oak Park to elite special operations. He gets into Colombia and the Cali cartel, manhunting in Bosnia and Afghanistan, the chaos of Roberts Ridge, and why remote battlefield control can wreck fast-moving missions.

Jeremiah J. Johnston, a New Testament scholar and Christian Thinkers Society founder, dives into the Shroud of Turin, Codex Vaticanus, and the Book of Enoch. He explores ancient manuscripts, Roman crucifixion details, ossuaries, and coins tied to gospel history. The conversation also follows his journey from skepticism to conviction and why resurrection evidence still sparks fierce debate.

Brett Adcock, robotics and AI founder behind Figure and Archer Aviation, dives into humanoid robots, synthetic workers, and why homes are a tougher frontier than factories. He gets into robot safety around kids, BMW deployments, the split from OpenAI, air taxi ambitions, and his hidden-weapons detection startup for schools.

Joe Kent, a retired Green Beret, former CIA paramilitary officer, and ex-counterterrorism chief, explains why he stepped down over Iran policy. He digs into Israeli influence in Washington, fears of escalation, regime change, shaky intelligence claims, homeland security risks, and how the conflict could benefit China and Russia while rattling Trump’s coalition.

Zach Lahn, sixth-generation Iowa farmer and first-time governor candidate, dives into who really controls American farmland. He talks repair lockouts on farm equipment, investor and foreign land grabs, paraquat and glyphosate fears, cancer and polluted water in Iowa, and why family farms and rural towns are being pushed to the brink.

Michael Lester is a decorated U.S. Marine Corps combat pilot, cybersecurity educator, and author who has spent his career operating at the intersection of military power, technology, and national security. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy and a member of MENSA, Lester also holds a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and an MBA, giving him a rare blend of technical expertise and strategic insight. During his military career, Lester flew combat missions across Asia and the Middle East, witnessing firsthand the realities of modern warfare and U.S. foreign policy. After his operational service, he returned to Annapolis to teach electrical engineering and leadership at the U.S. Naval Academy, helping shape the next generation of naval officers. Today, Lester continues his work in national security and technology as an adjunct professor teaching graduate-level cybersecurity at St. Mary’s University and Wake Forest University. He is also the founder of IronClad Family, a company focused on protecting families and individuals from digital threats, identity theft, and modern information warfare. Over the past two decades, Lester has conducted an extensive independent investigation into U.S. foreign policy after noticing a stark contrast between what he witnessed overseas and what was presented to the public at home. That research culminated in his book *We Are the Bad Guys: How the U.S. Wages War, Controls Economies, and Calls It Freedom*, a controversial examination of American military intervention, economic influence, and global power structures. With the launch of Operation Epic Fury on February 28, global tensions and strategic maneuvering have once again taken center stage, making Lester’s analysis of geopolitical strategy and modern warfare more relevant than ever. Follow the market here: https://polymarket.com/event/will-the-us-invade-iran-by-march-31 Join the waitlist: https://theglacierapp.com/waitlist Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Get firearm security redesigned and save 10% off at StopBoxUSA with code SRS at https://www.stopboxusa.com/SRS #stopboxpod Visit https://mauinuivenison.com/srs for a free 6-pack of the jerky sticks with your first order. Go right now to https://sundaysfordogs.com/SRS50 and get 50% off your first order. Get started with Claude today at https://Claude.ai/srs Michael Lester Links: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtlester Books - https://michaeltlester.com IronClad Family - https://www.ironcladfamily.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shyam Sankar, Palantir CTO and an early architect of its tech, dives into AI as a tool for workers, not hype. He gets into defense modernization, industrial revival, and why middle management could face a shake-up. The conversation also explores China, deterrence, military software, and how faster innovation could shape future conflict.

Butch Wilmore, retired NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy captain who logged 464 days in space, shares vivid stories from naval aviation to long-duration station life. He recounts suit and spacewalk tech, surviving off-nominal landings, and commanding Starliner’s test flight. He also talks leadership, faith, family tokens flown to orbit, and coping with 286 days stranded aboard the ISS.

Ethan Thornton, founder and CEO of Mach Industries who left MIT to build hydrogen‑powered and unmanned defense systems, shares his hands‑on Texas roots and rapid startup journey. He discusses unmanned warfare, stratospheric and hydrogen tech, decentralizing military logistics, AI risks and economic threats. Short, direct conversation about building fast, scaling manufacturing, and securing strategic tech.