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Shawn Ryan

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.

Shawn Ryan Show

Zach Lahn is a first-time political candidate running in the 2026 Republican primary for Governor of Iowa. Never having held elected office, he launched his campaign from his family farm, positioning himself as a self-funded outsider independent of party leadership and corporate donors. His candidacy is rooted in a belief that Iowa needs leadership grounded in rural life rather than professional politics.

Lahn’s platform is socially conservative and economically populist, with a strong focus on agriculture and land ownership. He opposes foreign and corporate control of Iowa farmland and advocates for family farms over large agribusiness monopolies. Economically, he is critical of corporate consolidation and globalism, supporting antitrust action and policies that favor small businesses.

On social issues, Lahn is anti-abortion, opposes gender-affirming medical procedures for minors, and emphasizes traditional family structures and parental control in education. He also runs on a tough-on-crime platform, with a focus on fentanyl trafficking and strong support for law enforcement.

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Zach Lahn Links:

Web - https://zachlahn.com

FB - https://www.facebook.com/ZachLahn

X - https://x.com/ZachLahn 
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#290 Zach Lahn - Inside America’s Cancer-Causing Chemical Problem

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.

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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
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#288 Shyam Sankar - Are We Sleepwalking Into World War 3?

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

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Michael Lester Links:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtlester 

Books - https://michaeltlester.com

IronClad Family - https://www.ironcladfamily.com
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#289 Michael Lester - Is the United States Going to War with Iran For Israel?

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:

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Butch Wilmore Links:

Website - www.butchwilmore.com 
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#287 Butch Wilmore - He Was Stranded in Space for 286 Days

Ethan Thornton is the Founder and CEO of Mach Industries, a defense technology company developing next-generation unmanned systems and hydrogen-powered weapons platforms to redefine modern warfare and energy logistics. Ethan left MIT after one semester in 2023 to focus on building Mach full-time.

Originally from Texas, Ethan grew up on a farm where he began prototyping weapons in high school. Funded through car tech jobs, knife and furniture sales, and small engineering projects. His early hands-on ingenuity and deep sense of urgency, intensified by the war in Ukraine—motivated him to accelerate U.S. innovation in unmanned aircraft and weapon systems to help deter China and strengthen national defense capabilities. Under his leadership, Mach Industries has attracted backing from top venture firms including Sequoia Capital, Khosla Ventures, and Bedrock, and has secured major U.S. Army contracts while expanding manufacturing operations.

Ethan’s work reflects a broader vision beyond defense. He frequently speaks on the strategic significance of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, the U.S. dollar’s reserve status, the challenge of social decay and neo-feudalism, and the need for productive, post-partisan solutions that secure America’s technological and economic future.

Follow the market - https://polymarket.com/event/china-x-taiwan-military-clash-before-2027

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Ethan Thorton Links:

X - https://x.com/ethanrthornton 

Mach Industries X - https://x.com/mach_industries 

Mach Industries - https://www.machindustries.com

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#286 Ethan Thornton - This 22-Year-Old Built a .50 Cal Rifle Out of Home Depot Parts

Father Chad Ripperger is a Roman Catholic priest, theologian, philosopher, and exorcist serving in the Archdiocese of Denver. He is the founder and superior general of the Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother (Doloran Fathers), a religious community dedicated to spiritual warfare, deliverance ministry, and the traditional liturgy.

Born in Casper, Wyoming, and raised in a devout Catholic family as the youngest of six children, Father Ripperger was ordained in 1997 with the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP). In 2012, he established the Doloran Fathers, serving as exorcist for the Diocese of Tulsa from 2012 to 2016 before moving to the Denver Archdiocese, where he continues his ministry. Bound by the discipline of clerical celibacy in the Latin Rite, he frequently teaches on marriage, family, virtue, and the spiritual life.

A classically trained Thomist, Father Ripperger holds degrees in theology and philosophy from the University of San Francisco, master’s degrees from both the University of St. Thomas and Holy Apostles College, and a doctorate in philosophy from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. His scholarship and experience make him a respected authority on demonology, angelology, spiritual warfare, and the integration of theological principles with psychology.

Through Sensus Traditionis Press, he has authored several influential works, including Deliverance Prayers for Use by the Laity, Dominion, and Introduction to the Science of Mental Health. Known for his clear, no‑nonsense teaching style rooted in Thomistic philosophy and Church tradition, Father Ripperger continues to give talks, conferences, and guidance on prayer, virtue, the sacraments, and protection from spiritual evil.

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#285 Father Chad Ripperger - Inside the Most Disturbing Exorcism Cases

AJ is a former senior CIA operations officer and twice-selected Chief of Station who served across the full spectrum of clandestine operations, including warzones, denied areas, and austere overseas postings. A U.S. Naval Academy graduate with a B.S. in Physics and a former Marine combat arms officer, AJ spent his career leading high-risk missions in defense of U.S. national security.

In 2021, while serving in Southeast Asia, AJ experienced what he describes as a directed energy attack associated with reported Anomalous Health Incidents (AHIs). He recounts an acute neurological event followed by lasting cognitive, physical, and autonomic symptoms. Subsequent medical evaluations documented biomarkers consistent with brain injury and confirmed dysautonomia, among other measurable abnormalities.

Drawing on historical research into directed energy programs and Cold War-era microwave investigations, AJ has spoken publicly about the broader national security implications of emerging non-kinetic weapons.

Following his medical retirement, he became an advocate for transparency, proper medical protocols, and full implementation of the Havana Act, engaging with congressional oversight bodies and senior national security officials to push for accountability and care for affected personnel.

Follow the market - https://polymarket.com/event/us-confirms-havana-syndromecausing-device-by-march-31

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#283 AJ - Former CIA Chief of Station Breaks Silence on Microwave Weapons

Schlep, real name Michael, is a 22‑year‑old YouTuber and content creator known for his hard‑hitting investigations exposing child predators on Roblox. Through sting operations and decoy accounts, his channel has uncovered widespread grooming networks using the platform to target minors.

A survivor of Roblox grooming himself—exploited as a young teen by a prominent developer once promoted and partnered with the company. Schlep turned his personal trauma into a mission for accountability. His YouTube channel has directly contributed to multiple arrests of alleged predators who used Roblox to move victims to Discord for explicit content and real‑world encounters.

A vocal critic of Roblox’s safety failures and profit‑driven approach to its child‑heavy user base, Schlep has consistently challenged the company’s moderation practices and its pattern of deplatforming whistleblowers. In August 2025, Roblox permanently banned him and issued a cease‑and‑desist letter threatening legal action, triggering the viral #FreeSchlep movement and major online backlash.

Despite being banned from the platform, Schlep continues his predator‑catching work independently, collaborating with law enforcement to secure convictions and raising awareness of how Roblox profits from developer programs that can enable exploitation. Today, he is a leading advocate for stronger child safety laws and transparency in online gaming, exposing the gap between Roblox’s “safe and educational” image and its systemic moderation failures.

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Schlep Links:

YT - https://www.youtube.com/@RealSchlep 

X - https://x.com/intent/follow?screen_name=realschlep 
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#284 Schlep - EVERY Parent Needs to Watch This

Nik Seetharaman is a special operations–trained cyber leader turned founder, known for bringing an operator’s mindset to some of the most sensitive security programs in American industry. A former JSOC advance‑force operator attached to an East Coast Naval Special Warfare squadron, he ran advanced cyber warfare and close‑range reconnaissance missions before crossing over into the world of high‑stakes defense technology and enterprise security.

In industry, Nik helped build and lead security at three of the most influential defense‑tech companies of the last decade. He served as head of cybersecurity operations at SpaceX and later led international cyber defense programs at Palantir, giving him a front‑row seat to how software, data, and security shape modern national power. He then became CIO and CISO at Anduril Industries, where he built the company’s cybersecurity and weapons‑system security programs from the ground up while Anduril was racing to field autonomous systems for the Pentagon.

Today, Nik is the founder and CEO of Wraithwatch, a cyber defense company born from his frustration that defenders are almost always forced to react second. At Wraithwatch, he is focused on “weaponizing” AI for defense at scale—using advanced models to help blue teams pre‑empt and out-iterate attackers instead of learning only from breaches and red‑team reports. Across each chapter of his career, he has carried forward the same core idea: apply special operations discipline, speed, and clarity of mission to how software, security teams, and AI‑driven defenses are built and run.

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Nik Seetharaman Links:

LI - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikseetharaman

Wraithwatch - https://www.wraithwatch.com

X - https://x.com/nikseeth 
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#282 Nik Seetharaman - Former SpaceX's Head of Cybersecurity Critical Warning on AI Swarms

For years, Sarah Adams has worked where threat warnings begin, not where they end.

She is a targeting officer and global threat advisor with deep expertise in counterterrorism, threat network analysis, and overseas intelligence operations. Sarah served in the Central Intelligence Agency’s Counterterrorism Center, as well as in the Near East and Iran Operations Divisions, working complex operations against both state and non-state adversaries.

Her deployed field work spans Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. Across those theaters, her focus has remained consistent: identifying, assessing, and disrupting terrorist networks, hostile state activity, and emerging threats to United States and allied interests.

After leaving the CIA, Sarah served as a Senior Advisor to the United States House of Representatives following an executive appointment from the Agency, applying operational experience directly to national security policy, oversight, and accountability. She later led research and development initiatives for the Department of Defense, advancing innovation, tradecraft modernization, and intelligence capabilities with enterprise-level impact.

She was deployed to Libya in 2012 and is the co-author of Benghazi: Know Thy Enemy, a cold-case, open-source investigation that identified the al-Qaeda operatives responsible for the attack on the U.S. Mission Compound and CIA Annex in Benghazi.

Today, Sarah is the host of The Watch Floor at Vigilance Elite, a podcast focused on emerging threats, global affairs, and homeland security risks for everyday audiences. The Watch Floor delivers need-to-know insights, explaining what matters, why it matters, and what comes next.

Shawn and Sarah answer the question - Will Khamenei be ousted as Supreme Leader of Iran by March 31?

Follow the market here - https://polymarket.com/event/khamenei-out-as-supreme-leader-of-iran-by-march-31

Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

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Sarah Adams Links:

YT - https://www.youtube.com/@thewatchfloor

IG - https://www.instagram.com/thewatchfloor 

X - https://x.com/The_Watch_Floor

FB - https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Watch-Floor/61586054787023

TT - https://www.tiktok.com/@thewatchfloor

Rumble - https://rumble.com/user/thewatchfloor

Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/VigilanceElite

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5how8FZvVZvlhnv58antdG

LinkTree - https://tr.ee/qFdF2gcFD_ 
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#280 Sarah Adams - If China Isn’t the #1 Threat… Then Who Is?

Nick Brokhausen is a highly decorated U.S. Army Special Forces veteran who served in the secretive Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG) from 1970 to 1971, conducting high-risk reconnaissance missions deep behind enemy lines in Vietnam and Laos. On his second tour in Vietnam, he joined Recon Team Habu in Command and Control North (CCN), participating in some of the most dangerous operations of the war. With a 15-year career in the Regiment, Brokhausen undertook classified missions across the globe. 

He is the author of "We Few: U.S. Special Forces in Vietnam" (2018) and "Whispers in the Tall Grass: Back Behind Enemy Lines with MACV-SOG" (2019), offering firsthand accounts of SOG's covert operations and the camaraderie among elite warriors. 

He advocates for preserving the history of special operations and honoring the sacrifices of Vietnam veterans.

Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

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Nick Brokhausen Links:

Amazon Author Page - https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07CKVZHTP
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#276 Nick Brokhausen - The Deadliest Stories From Vietnam with MACV-SOG

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