Episodes

  • From Helmand to Homeland: PTSD, Redacted Truths, and the Coming 72-Hour Terror Attack on America | Ep. 269 | Pt. 3

    From Helmand to Homeland: PTSD, Redacted Truths, and the Coming 72-Hour Terror Attack on America | Ep. 269 | Pt. 3
    Dec 12 2025
    The final chapter of Matthew Brunnemann’s gripping three-part appearance on Mike Drop. In Part 3, the former Marine intel specialist and author of War Business: The Hired Guns of Helmand Province pulls no punches as he talks leaving the Corps, battling unseen PTSD, transitioning to civilian life, and the four-year journey to turn his private journals into a published book. He and Mike dive deep into the big-picture failures of Afghanistan and Iraq, the cultural incompatibilities that doomed nation-building, what America should (and shouldn’t) have done after 9/11, and why the 2021 fall of Kabul still stings. Brunnemann also unloads his controversial master’s thesis: a chilling, open-source prediction of a coordinated 72-hour terrorist attack that could cripple the U.S. Raw, unfiltered, and brutally honest – this is the conclusion you don’t want to miss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    55 mins
  • Kajaki Drawdown: IEDs, Snipers, and a Corpsman Lost Forever | Ep. 269 | Pt. 2

    Kajaki Drawdown: IEDs, Snipers, and a Corpsman Lost Forever | Ep. 269 | Pt. 2
    Dec 11 2025
    Dive into Part 2 of Episode 269 of the Mike Drop Podcast, hosted by Mike Ritland, a former Navy SEAL and renowned dog trainer. In this riveting conversation, Mike sits down with guest Matthew Brunnemann, a former U.S. Marine Corps intelligence specialist and author, to explore the raw realities of combat during the U.S. drawdown in Afghanistan. Listeners will find gripping firsthand accounts of high-stakes patrols in Kajaki, the heartbreaking loss of a corpsman to an IED, tense encounters with elusive Taliban snipers and bomb makers, and the moral dilemmas faced on the ground—including the abuse of local children used as informants and controversial medical evacuation decisions. Brunnemann shares unfiltered insights into the chaos of extended deployments, base infiltrations, and the psychological toll of war, offering a poignant look at the human side of military service in one of the world's most unforgiving environments. Whether you're a history buff, veteran, or simply interested in stories of resilience and sacrifice, this episode delivers powerful narratives that highlight the complexities of counterinsurgency and the enduring impact of the Afghan conflict. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Intel Marine Exposes Afghanistan’s Hidden War in Afghanistan | Ep. 269 | Pt. 1

    Intel Marine Exposes Afghanistan’s Hidden War in Afghanistan | Ep. 269 | Pt. 1
    Dec 9 2025
    In this gripping episode of the Mike Drop podcast, host Mike Ritland sits down with Matthew Brunnemann, a Marine Corps veteran who spent over 500 days in Afghanistan's volatile Helmand Province. Brunnemann shares raw, firsthand accounts from his deployments, including intense combat operations, opium interdiction raids, and the harsh realities of counterinsurgency warfare. As the author of "War Business: The Hired Guns of Helmand Province," he offers a unique perspective on the cultural clashes and strategic failures that defined America's longest war. The conversation delves into Brunnemann's experiences as an on-the-ground Intel operator, from tracking Taliban commanders and installing covert devices to partnering with local forces amid a chaotic drawdown. He recounts heartbreaking losses, like the IED attack that killed "Doc" Beauchamp, and the moral dilemmas faced when dealing with Afghan civilians and children caught in the crossfire. Brunnemann's stories highlight the ingenuity of the enemy, the frustrations of limited resources, and the unbreakable bonds formed among Marines in the face of relentless danger. Brunnemann discusses his transition to civilian life, his faith journey, and his master's thesis on potential terrorist threats to U.S. homeland security. This three-hour discussion is a must-listen for anyone interested in military history, intelligence operations, and the human cost of modern conflict, blending tactical insights with profound reflections on war's enduring impact. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • From Coke at the Onesie Party to Hand-Forging Chef Knives – Chris Osman’s Full Redemption Story | Ep. 268 | Pt. 3

    From Coke at the Onesie Party to Hand-Forging Chef Knives – Chris Osman’s Full Redemption Story | Ep. 268 | Pt. 3
    Dec 5 2025
    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, redemption, and what it actually looks like to rebuild yourself from scratch in your late 40s/early 50s. This is the rare veteran story that doesn’t end with “and then I started another tactical company.” It ends with quiet, hard-earned peace, a garage full of grinders, and some of the most beautiful handmade chef knives on the planet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 47 mins
  • From SEAL Platoons to Survivor's Guilt: Chris Osman's Battles On and Off the Battlefield | Ep. 268 | Pt. 2

    From SEAL Platoons to Survivor's Guilt: Chris Osman's Battles On and Off the Battlefield | Ep. 268 | Pt. 2
    Dec 4 2025
    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, personal resilience, and the unvarnished truth behind the SEAL ethos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    2 hrs and 14 mins
  • Chris Osman Breaks 30-Year Silence: “My Sergeant Quit in the Middle of a Firefight” | Ep. 268 | Pt. 1

    Chris Osman Breaks 30-Year Silence: “My Sergeant Quit in the Middle of a Firefight” | Ep. 268 | Pt. 1
    Dec 2 2025
    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 your introduction, prepare for five hours of absolute honesty from a man who’s lived on both sides of the guardrail—and finally found his way back. Chris Osman, welcome back. This one hits different. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 57 mins
  • Top Gun Instructor on AI Killing Autonomy, Quitting Colonel Promotion & Joining Jocko Willink | Ep. 267 | Pt. 3

    Top Gun Instructor on AI Killing Autonomy, Quitting Colonel Promotion & Joining Jocko Willink | Ep. 267 | Pt. 3
    Nov 28 2025
    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, this is one of the most requested Mike Drop episodes ever—perfect for veterans, aviators, leaders, and anyone who loves real talk about combat, flying, and life after the uniform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • From Topgun Instructor to SEAL Teammate: Dave Berke on Ego, Luck, Leadership, and the Real Cost of Iraq | Ep. 267 | Pt. 2

    From Topgun Instructor to SEAL Teammate: Dave Berke on Ego, Luck, Leadership, and the Real Cost of Iraq | Ep. 267 | Pt. 2
    Nov 27 2025
    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. Whether you’re a military aviation geek, a combat veteran, or just love real stories of extreme performance, this episode delivers powerful lessons on teamwork, situational awareness, and what it truly takes to dominate in chaos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 18 mins