The Shawn Ryan Show Podcast By Shawn Ryan cover art

The Shawn Ryan Show

The Shawn Ryan Show

By: Shawn Ryan
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The "Shawn Ryan Show" is hosted by Shawn Ryan, former U.S. Navy SEAL, CIA Contractor, and Founder of Vigilance Elite. We tell REAL stories about REAL people from all walks of life. We discuss the ups and downs, wins and losses, successes and struggles, the good and bad in a respectful but candid way with our guest. We're better than entertainment, we're the REAL thing. Please enjoy the show.© 2026 Shawn Ryan Show Philosophy Social Sciences
Episodes
  • #289 Michael Lester - Is the United States Going to War with Iran For Israel?

    #289 Michael Lester - Is the United States Going to War with Iran For Israel?
    Mar 19 2026
    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
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    3 hrs and 54 mins
  • #288 Shyam Sankar - Are We Sleepwalking Into World War 3?

    #288 Shyam Sankar - Are We Sleepwalking Into World War 3?
    Mar 16 2026
    Shyam Sankar is Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President at Palantir Technologies, where he has served since 2006 as one of the company’s earliest hires and key builders. A seasoned technologist with over two decades of experience, he has led the design and deployment of software platforms that support some of the world’s most complex and high-stakes environments. from defense operations to enterprise systems. Sankar holds a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Cornell University and an M.S. in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University. His career reflects a commitment to advancing technology that strengthens national resilience and accelerates industrial and defense innovation. A vocal advocate for applying artificial intelligence to empower American workers and reindustrialize the United States, Sankar is deeply engaged in initiatives such as the American Tech Fellows program, which develops domestic AI talent. He regularly speaks on the role of AI in transforming national security and industry through practical adoption rather than speculation. Rejecting narratives of AI “doomerism,” Sankar emphasizes real-world deployment and measurable results—showing how Palantir’s tools are redefining the speed of warfare, industrial output, and decision-making across the defense and commercial landscapes. His insights are frequently featured in conversations about the future of AI, national power, and America’s technological edge. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Join thousands of parents who trust Fabric to help protect their family—apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/SHAWN. Try Gusto today at https://gusto.com/SRS and get three months free when you run your first payroll. New customers can save 35% on your first month of Dose for Cholesterol by going to https://dosedaily.co/SRS or entering SRS at checkout. Shyam Sankar Links: X - https://x.com/ssankar Substack - https://www.shyamsankar.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shyamsankar On The Defense Reformation - https://18theses.com First Breakfast - https://www.firstbreakfast.com Book - https://www.amazon.com/Mobilize-Reboot-American-Industrial-World/dp/B0FQWGC94Z/ref=sr_1_1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 35 mins
  • #287 Butch Wilmore - He Was Stranded in Space for 286 Days

    #287 Butch Wilmore - He Was Stranded in Space for 286 Days
    Mar 12 2026
    Barry E. “Butch” Wilmore was raised in Tennessee, where an early fascination with aviation, engineering, and disciplined teamwork set the course for his career. He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in electrical engineering from Tennessee Technological University, along with a master’s degree in aviation systems from the University of Tennessee. Before NASA, Wilmore served as a U.S. Navy aviator, test pilot, and squadron officer, accumulating more than 8,000 flight hours and 663 carrier landings in tactical jet aircraft. Wilmore flew A-7E and F/A-18 aircraft during four operational deployments aboard the USS Forrestal, Kennedy, Enterprise, and Eisenhower. He completed 21 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm and also flew in support of Desert Shield, Southern Watch, and NATO operations over Bosnia. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, he contributed to the early development and carrier certification of the T-45 jet trainer, experience that proved critical to his later astronaut duties. Selected as a NASA astronaut in 2000, Wilmore flew three space missions totaling 464 days in space. He piloted STS-129 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis in 2009, delivering critical hardware to the ISS. In 2014–2015, he launched aboard a Russian Soyuz as part of Expedition 41, later assuming command of Expedition 42, spending 167 days in orbit and conducting four spacewalks. Most recently, he commanded Boeing Starliner’s first crewed flight in 2024; following an uncrewed return decision, he completed a long-duration ISS mission and returned to Earth in March 2025 aboard SpaceX Crew-9. Wilmore retired from NASA in July 2025 after 25 years with the agency, one of the few astronauts to fly aboard the Space Shuttle, Soyuz, Starliner, and Crew Dragon. He is married to Deanna, with whom he has two daughters, and is known for steady leadership, deep technical skill, faith, and continued commitment to mentorship and STEM outreach. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Live better longer with BUBS Naturals. Get 20% OFF on collagen, MCT creamers, and more with code SHAWN at https://bubsnaturals.com/srs Ready to upgrade your eyewear? Check them out at https://roka.com and use code SRS for 20% off sitewide. If you’re serious about selling to the Department of War, go to https://SBIRAdvisors.com and mention Shawn Ryan for your first month free. Get 30% off your first subscription order at https://armra.com/srs with code SRS. Butch Wilmore Links: Website - www.butchwilmore.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    3 hrs and 30 mins
All stars
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I've listened to nearly all of the interviews at this point and the stories your guests have to tell are truly amazing. Not only are the interviews entertaining, interesting and thought provoking they are also opening eyes to some hard and widely overlooked subjects. thank you for providing a platform for these people to share their stories. keep it up. you're all doing a great job.

A truly amazing project

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Huge fan of your work. Keep up the great job. Could only imagine if there was some like you to document the brave men and women of the greatest generation. A lot of history is lost.

Great job

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I feel incredibly lucky and privileged to call people like you both my countrymen. You guys are and all our military vets are unbelievable hero’s to most of us in this great country. I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate what you guys have given for the rest of us. God bless you both.

Unbelievable

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some of the best and most controversial topics discussed. I'm a little late to the podcast game, so I started from the beginning. but this stuff is just eye-opening and life changing for me.

love this podcast

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Shawn is an amazing interviewer, especially in the context of most of his guests. There's some amazing stories from the special ops community, but the episodes where he steps out a bit (cartels, psychedelics, ufos, etc.) are awesome as well. Nothing but straight up, incredible stories right from the people who were there. I hope Ep. 100 is a deep dive into Shawn's career!

Amazing stories, great interviews

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