Mike Drop

In this raw, unfiltered, and deeply personal conclusion to one of the most powerful Mike Drop episodes ever recorded, former SEAL Team operator turned master knife-maker Chris Osman (founder of Tons O’ Cutlery finishes laying it all bare with host Mike Ritland. Over the course of this nearly 2-hour final segment, Chris walks us through the absolute rock-bottom moments that finally forced permanent change: the phone call that exposed his drug-fueled double life, quitting every substance cold turkey (except red wine… at first), the divorce, the brutal road-rage beatdown that ended with a full DOJ raid on his house, getting charged with assault with a deadly weapon, walking free with a clean record, and then the complete 180° life rebuild – 60 lb natural weight loss, total sobriety inspired by his now-fiancée Lisa, burning every bridge to the tactical world, and discovering knife-making as his new obsession and career. Expect zero filter, zero excuses, and a masterclass in radical personal accountability, rede

In this gripping second part of Episode 268 from the Mike Drop podcast, hosted by former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland, guest Chris Osman—a veteran Marine, Navy SEAL, and entrepreneur—delves deep into his extraordinary life story. Listeners will discover raw, unfiltered accounts of Osman's journey from rigorous SEAL training and high-stakes deployments in Afghanistan, including untold real-world missions and the emotional toll of survivor's guilt from helicopter crashes and lost comrades. The episode explores his transition to civilian life, building multimillion-dollar gear companies like Tactical Assault Gear (TAG), and the dark side of success: grappling with "spending dead man's money," family sacrifices, and a descent into alcohol, Adderall, Molly, and cocaine use amid a partying lifestyle. Through candid reflections on professionalism, addiction, and redemption, Osman offers profound insights into the mental battles faced by elite operators, making this a must-listen for anyone interested in military life,

In this raw episode of the Mike Drop Podcast, Chris Osman opens up like never before—sharing childhood struggles, the brutal realities of BUD/S (including two moments he nearly rang the bell), combat in Somalia, and the darker personal battles that followed his 11 years of service, including addiction, failed marriages, and the long road back to redemption. With zero victim mentality, Chris lays it all bare: the vi*lence that once defined him, the lessons learned from organized crime fascination, his evolving faith, and why he now refuses to sugarcoat anything—even if it means exposing his own lowest points. From near-quitting in H*ll Week surf t*rture to candid thoughts on loyalty, fatherhood, Elon Musk, and why some men are drawn to special operations while others cling to victimhood, this episode is both a cautionary tale and a masterclass in owning your story. Whether you’re a longtime listener who remembers Chris’s legendary first two episodes (the Haiti jail story is still a fan favorite) or this is y

Episode 267 Part 3 of the Mike Drop Podcast with host Mike Ritland welcomes Dave Berke—the only Marine to ever fly the F-22 Raptor and F-35 while also serving as a TOPGUN instructor and ground combat leader in Ramadi alongside Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. In this final part of an epic 3-part conversation, Dave and Mike go deep on the toughest leadership questions facing the military today: Should AI ever be allowed to pull the trigger on its own? Why fighter pilots hated autopilot landings, the real reason Dave walked away from command and promotion, and how a single phone call from Leif Babin turned retirement into the smoothest transition in military history. They also break down life at Echelon Front (how they teach Extreme Ownership to Fortune 500 companies), why leadership is hardest at home, ego vs. humility, military standards under the new administration, and readiness challenges for the next generation of warfare. Packed with never-before-heard stories, raw honesty, and laugh-out-loud moments, thi

In Part 2 of this epic episode of the Mike Drop Podcast, host Mike Ritland continues his deep-dive conversation with Dave Berke – the only Marine to ever fly the F-22 Raptor and a legendary Topgun instructor. This episode is packed with raw, unfiltered stories from the skies and the streets of Ramadi. Dave breaks down why fifth-generation fighters (F-22 and F-35) dominate not through speed or maneuverability, but through total battlespace awareness – “If I know everything you’re doing and you have no idea I’m even there, I’ve already won.” He shares unforgettable combat moments with Jocko Willink’s Task Unit Bruiser, including riverine boat insertions with Chris Kyle, calling in a Hellfire missile through a second-story window to save SEALs under fire, and the emotional weight of losing Marines on the ground. From feeling like a “fish out of water” running with SEALs in Ramadi to the humbling transition into the F-22 cockpit, Dave reflects on luck, leadership, ego, and the real cost of the Iraq War. Whethe

Join host Mike Ritland for an unforgettable conversation with Dave Berke – the only Marine in history to fly the F-16, F-18, F-22, and F-35, a legendary TOPGUN instructor, former Forward Air Controller attached to Jocko Willink’s Task Unit Bruiser in Ramadi 2006, and co-author of the Extreme Ownership series. From the cockpit of the world’s most advanced fighters to the blood-soaked streets of Ramadi alongside SEALs, Dave pulls zero punches on what real high-performance leadership looks like when lives are on the line. In this nearly 4-hour deep dive, Dave reveals the brutal debrief culture at TOPGUN that turned good pilots into lethal ones, why the peacetime military he first joined in 2001 was nowhere near ready for war, how 9/11 instantly transformed training forever, and the life-changing moment he left the world’s premier fighter-weapons school to volunteer for ground combat in the deadliest city in Iraq. He also shares his unfiltered take on AI ending the era of the single-seat fighter pilot within our

In this powerful and unfiltered part 3 of episode 266, host Mike Ritland sits down with former U.S. Army Green Beret and Afghan-American Kawa Mawlayee — a first-generation immigrant who fled Soviet-occupied Afghanistan as a child, grew up in the American Midwest, and went on to serve 23 years in Special Forces, including multiple combat tours. What starts as a discussion about Trump’s leadership style, tariffs, and manufacturing quickly evolves into a raw, no-holds-barred exploration of the biggest issues facing America in 2025: foreign policy hypocrisy, the military-industrial complex, the Israel-Palestine conflict, Islamophobia and the myth of “Sharia law takeover,” America-First nationalism vs. endless overseas entanglements, accountability in leadership, the future of the U.S. military under Pete Hegseth, and whether the country is sliding toward internal conflict. Kawa brings a rare perspective: a Muslim Green Beret who loves America deeply, calls out both parties, refuses PAC money, and isn’t afraid t

In Part 2 of this explosive conversation, former Marine turned Green Beret and Afghan-American warrior Kawa Mawlayee goes even deeper with host Mike Ritland. What starts as a discussion about post-9/11 wars quickly spirals into some of the most raw and controversial territory ever covered on Mike Drop: the real reasons behind the Iraq and Afghanistan invasions, the overwhelming influence of pro-Israel lobbies (AIPAC, ADL, Christian Zionism), the shrinking map of Palestine from 1948 to today, why Arab nations won’t take Gaza refugees, Holocaust/Zionism historical claims, the military-industrial complex, Ukraine as a money-laundering proxy, and why America keeps fighting endless wars that don’t serve American interests. Kawa pulls no punches on Gaza (“modern-day Nazis”), the Nakba, the deliberate creation of Israel, Jewish Bolshevik history, the Scofield Bible’s role in Christian Zionism, and how the same forces destroying Palestine are quietly eroding American sovereignty at home. At the same time, the two

In Episode 266 of the Mike Drop Podcast, Mike Ritland sits down with Kawa Mawlayee—the first Afghan-born Green Beret—for a raw talk on war, immigration, and identity. Kawa recounts fleeing Soviet-invaded Afghanistan, losing his father, and growing up as a refugee in Nebraska before serving 21 years across the Marines and Army, including Iraq’s invasion and the battle of Fallujah. They dive into today’s immigration crisis, where Kawa contrasts his own integration with the current border chaos and even imagines how he’d fix ICE. From Fallujah’s brutality to the moral injuries of endless wars, Kawa reflects on leadership failures, resilience, and the cost of service—told with the blunt honesty only veterans share. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Part 2 of Episode 265 of the Mike Drop Podcast, host Mike Ritland continues his in-depth conversation with Ken Rhee — a Korean-American UDT/SEAL (ROK SEAL) who grew up in the U.S., served in South Korea’s elite naval special warfare unit, trained at American BUD/S, fought pirates off Somalia, volunteered in Ukraine, and now runs a private military consulting firm while navigating strict Korean gun laws and a suspended prison sentence. Expect raw insights into cross-national SEAL training, hostage-rescue ops, post-military contracting, the realities of foreign volunteer combat, and a unique cultural take on firearms, self-defense, and crime from someone who’s lived in both American and Korean worlds. Audio is Zoom-based but packed with unfiltered stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the Mike Drop podcast, host Mike Ritland sits down with Ken Rhee, a former Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy SEAL lieutenant who uniquely completed both Korean BUD/S and U.S. Navy SEAL training in Coronado. Raised in the U.S. from age three, Rhee returned to Korea driven by family patriotism, rising through Officer Candidate School to become a tier-one operator in the elite Special Mission Battalion (SMB). Rhee contrasts the brutal mental hazing of Korean SEAL training—complete with paddlings and concrete-head "thinking positions"—against the physical grind of U.S. BUD/S on Coronado's sandy beaches, while highlighting cultural clashes in discipline and confinement. He delves into ROK SEAL gear mirroring U.S. standards (HK416s, Glocks, Crye Precision kits), the ever-present North Korean threat with its massive artillery shadowing Seoul, and the high-tension skirmishes that nearly sparked war. This interview is a fascinating deep dive into cross-cultural special operations, North-South tensions

Welcome to Part 2 of Episode 264 of the Mike Drop podcast, hosted by Mike Ritland, a former Navy SEAL and renowned dog trainer. In this gripping continuation, Mike sits down with Nico Kelly Nick O'Kelly, a former Green Beret who transitioned into an elite Night Stalker pilot with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR). Kelly is also the author of the book Stigma: Breaking the Stigma, which delves into his personal battles with mental health. Listeners will find an unfiltered, raw conversation covering Kelly's high-stakes military career—from his warm reception back in Savannah as a new 160th pilot, intense training trips across the U.S., and his first combat deployment in the CENTCOM region, to the adrenaline-fueled details of real-world missions like dusty landings and contingencies. The episode takes a deep dive into Kelly's ongoing struggles with anxiety, debilitating dizzy spells, depression, and fleeting suicidal thoughts, which persisted through his pipeline and deployments but were ofte

Join host Mike Ritland on Mike Drop Podcast for an unflinching conversation with Nick O'Kelly, a retired Green Beret turned Night Stalkers Black Hawk pilot from the elite 160th SOAR. From the high-stakes chaos of his first combat insertion—where a last-second sharp turn into a dusty, high-speed landing pushed the limits of control—to the invisible war he fought against crippling suicidal ideation that began in flight school, Nick pulls no punches. His debut book Stigma, releasing October 21st, exposes the raw truth behind mental health struggles in special operations. Nick traces his path from a strict Christian upbringing in Washington state, through SF selection and Okinawa deployments, to mastering aviation amid family pressures and a newborn son. He shares the culture shock of warrant officer training, the adrenaline of Everest Base Camp treks, and the surreal focus of flying tier-one operators under fire. Faith, perfectionism, and Vince Lombardi's pursuit of excellence weave through his story of resilie

Dive into Part 3 of Episode 263 of the Mike Drop podcast, hosted by former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland. In this raw and introspective finale, guest Alex Rogers—a retired Navy SEAL—delves into the challenges of screening for DEVGRU, leadership conflicts and career shifts at TRADET, and the profound personal battles with divorce, depression, and mental health that led to his Navy exit. Listeners will hear candid reflections on transitioning to civilian life through intense jiu-jitsu training and entrepreneurship with his apparel company, LW Clothing Co., alongside thoughts on military culture shifts, women in SOF, and the use of National Guard in domestic law enforcement. Packed with lessons on resilience, brotherhood, and mindset, this episode offers inspiration for veterans, aspiring operators, and anyone navigating life's toughest transitions, blending vulnerability, motivation, and unfiltered opinions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dive into Part 2 of Episode 263 of the Mike Drop podcast, hosted by former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland. In this gripping continuation, guest Alex Rogers—a retired Navy SEAL with a raw and unfiltered perspective—opens up about his journey through the grueling realities of SEAL life. Listeners will discover intense stories from BUD/S training, including heart-pounding challenges like underwater swims, Pool Comp, and Hell Week; firsthand accounts of combat in Iraq, from chaotic firefights and cultural shocks to the moral weight of warfare; and deeply personal reflections on relationships, infidelity, mental health struggles, therapy, and the decision to leave the teams after screening for DEVGRU. Whether you're a military enthusiast, aspiring operator, or interested in human resilience, this episode delivers honest insights into the highs, lows, and unspoken tolls of special operations, blending humor, adrenaline, and introspection for an unforgettable listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoi

From a troubled youth in Vermont, where a brush with the dangerous world of drug dealing nearly derailed his life, Alex found redemption through the grueling trials of SEAL training and a 12-year career with SEAL Team Three. His journey from chaos to discipline, marked by raw honesty and resilience, sets the stage for a candid conversation about overcoming adversity and finding purpose. Alex opens up about a pivotal moment that changed his trajectory: a terrifying robbery attempt that left him confronting his choices and their impact on his family. This wake-up call propelled him toward the military, where he embraced the challenges of BUD/S and emerged as a SEAL. Alongside his military insights, Alex shares his passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), his current pursuit as a competitor, and his entrepreneurial venture with LFW Clothing Company. His story is a testament to the power of grit and self-discovery. Join Mike and Alex as they dive into the highs and lows of a life shaped by intense experiences, fr

Dive into the gripping world of counterterrorism and FBI operations in Part 3 of Episode 262 of the Mike Drop podcast, hosted by former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland. In this installment, Ritland sits down with retired FBI Special Agent Harry Samit, a veteran investigator renowned for his pivotal role in pre-9/11 interrogations, including the arrest of Zacarias Moussaoui, often called the "20th hijacker." Listeners will uncover insider stories from Sam's 21-year career, including the rise of Somali extremism in the Twin Cities, high-stakes cases involving al-Shabab and ISIS recruitment, the FBI's evolution post-9/11, and candid critiques of Bureau leadership, from risk-averse management to directors like Kash Patel. Samit also shares thoughts on ongoing threats like lone-wolf radicalization via social media, the Patriot Act's impact, narco-terrorism, and even Epstein's mysterious death. Whether you're a true crime enthusiast, history buff, or concerned citizen, this episode delivers raw, unfiltered insights

Dive into Part 2 of Episode 263 of the Mike Drop Podcast, hosted by Mike Ritland, where he sits down with retired FBI Special Agent Harry Samit. Known for his pivotal role in the pre-9/11 investigation of Zacarias Moussaoui—the so-called "20th hijacker"—Samit shares gripping insider details from his 20+ year career combating terrorism. In this episode, listeners will uncover the dramatic twists in Moussaoui's trial, sentencing, and life in supermax prison; frustrations with the justice system and bureaucratic hurdles; and riveting accounts of other high-stakes cases involving al-Qaeda operatives, anthrax threats, 9/11 connections, and Somali recruits to al-Shabab. Expect raw insights into the emotional toll of FBI work, the clash between investigators and prosecutors, and the ongoing fight against extremism—all delivered in an unfiltered conversation that highlights the human side of national security. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this gripping episode of the Mike Drop podcast, host Mike Ritland sits down with Harry Samit, a former U.S. Navy intelligence officer and retired FBI agent who played a pivotal role in one of the most significant counterterrorism cases in history: the arrest of Zacarias Moussaoui, the "20th hijacker" of the 9/11 attacks. Samit shares chilling details of his investigation in the weeks leading up to September 11, 2001, revealing how close the FBI came to uncovering the hijacker’s plot and the bureaucratic roadblocks that hindered their efforts. With a career spanning naval intelligence to FBI counterterrorism, Samit offers a unique perspective on the challenges of combating extremism and the personal toll of being at the forefront of such high-stakes investigations. From uncovering Moussaoui’s ties to the 9/11 hijackers to battling FBI headquarters for permission to search his belongings, Samit’s story is a heart-pounding narrative of instinct, frustration, and resilience. He recounts the moment he realized

In this riveting second part of Episode 261 of the Mike Drop podcast, host Mike Ritland—former Navy SEAL and K-9 expert—dives deep into the high-stakes world of FBI special operations with guest Jeremy Rebmann, a retired FBI sniper and author. Listeners will be gripped by Jeremy's firsthand accounts of intense missions, including a dramatic takedown in Oklahoma's Glass Mountains involving a fugitive bomber and a heroic police K-9, as well as hostage rescues and confrontations with child predators. The conversation also explores FBI sniper gear, training challenges, interrogation tactics, the agency's current morale struggles amid leadership changes, public trust issues, and advice for aspiring agents. Packed with raw operational insights, reflections on balancing national security with civil liberties, and candid discussions on FBI controversies like January 6th and morale under new directors, this episode offers an unfiltered look at the sacrifices and realities of elite law enforcement. Whether you're a