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by Mike Ritland
Mike Drop, hosted by former Navy SEAL and bestselling author Mike Ritland, is a no-holds-barred platform that dives deep into the stories and experiences of extraordinary individuals. Known for his candid and unfiltered approach, Mike interviews guests ranging from special operations veterans and elite athletes to renowned authors and thought leaders, offering listeners an exclusive glimpse into the human side of those who have excelled in their fields. Whether it's discussing the intense challenges of combat or the resilience required to overcome personal adversity, Mike Drop provides a space where real conversations happen.
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- 5 days ago3h 51m
FBI Negotiator Reveals What REALLY Happened During the Boston Bomber's Capture | Ep. 315
Airborne Ranger, FBI Hostage Rescue Team operator, sniper, breacher, and FBI Crisis Negotiation Unit veteran Kyle Vowinkel, author of the upcoming book Shaping Chaos, sits down with Mike Ritland to break down the night he was called in to talk to the most wanted man in America. With 400 officers on scene, a dozen flashbangs thrown into the boat, and nothing working, the call came down from the FBI director to try talking. Kyle walks through the ten minutes of dead silence, the word that finally broke it, and the hour and a half that followed.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 6 days ago18 min
U.S. Forces Could Strike Iran Within 96 Hours as Houthis Fire on Saudi Arabia | Mike Drop Newsroom
U.S. forces in the Middle East could launch a major new strike on Iran within 96 hours of a presidential order, and the target list now includes Iran's energy infrastructure.MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 26 OCTOBER 2026According to CNN, U.S. officials say forces already in the region could launch a bigger operation than past strikes within 96 hours of an order, with a target list covering energy infrastructure, military sites and nuclear facilities. Some officials think an order could come before the year ends, most likely after the Nov. 3 midterms. Mike Ritland breaks down what the new readiness posture signals, why he doesn't think this is only pressure for a deal, and why Iran's track record of dragging out talks makes him doubt another round of negotiations.Also covered: the Houthis firing a missile barrage at Saudi Arabia and why they're the most likely group to hit U.S. ships and Gulf bases if strikes resume; a Pentagon plan for major U.S. bases at home to run on their own power, water and fuel for 90 days; Saudi, Pakistani and Turkish officials meeting Iran in Tehran; and Brazil's presidential runoff.Strike now, or try for one more deal? Tell us in the comments.Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military.Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join00:00 U.S. forces could strike Iran within 96 hours00:50 Intel warnings and the Riyadh embassy drawdown01:15 Why this posture is different02:30 Can pressure force a deal?03:20 Strike now, or one more deal?04:25 Houthis fire a missile barrage at Saudi Arabia05:15 Why the Houthis are the biggest threat to U.S. forces06:15 U.S. missile defense stocks07:05 How U.S. forces could hit the Houthis08:45 Pentagon: bases must run 90 days on their own10:00 Why that's never happened before11:15 What it means for civilians near bases13:15 U.S. partners meet Iran in Tehran14:35 Help or hurt U.S. pressure?16:40 Brazil's election18:20 Wrap-upAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 1 weeks ago10 min
Iran Bars U.S. Warships From the Gulf as Plots Against Americans Advance | Mike Drop Newsroom
Iran's armed forces chief says U.S. warships will never be allowed in the Persian Gulf, as a U.S. envoy says strikes on Iran could come this weekend.MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 24 OCTOBER 2026Iran's armed forces chief of staff, Ali Abdollahi, says Iran will not allow U.S. military ships in the Persian Gulf under any circumstances. Hours earlier, U.S. ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said a U.S. strike on Iran could "absolutely" come this weekend, while President Trump said he didn't know anything about it and has said strikes would wait until after the Nov. 3 midterms. Mike Ritland breaks down the mixed signals, why he doesn't think strikes are likely before the election, and why he believes election timing shouldn't drive military decisions.Also covered: an intelligence memo from DNI Jay Clayton warning that Iranian plots to kill Americans abroad have reached "advanced stages," the State Department cutting embassy staff across the region, why the memo was made public, and Houthi missiles fired toward Saudi Arabia's Red Sea route around Hormuz.Should election timing play any role in when the U.S. strikes Iran? Tell us in the comments.Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military.Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join00:00 Iran: no U.S. warships in the Gulf00:25 U.S. envoy: a strike could come this weekend00:50 Mixed signals on strike timing01:40 Why the administration is waiting02:05 Should politics drive war timing?03:45 Iranian plots against Americans reach "advanced stages"04:10 Embassies and bases cut staff04:35 Why make the memo public?06:15 Building the case for strikes?07:05 How the FBI handles plots at home07:55 Houthis target Saudi Arabia's Hormuz bypass08:45 Iran's reach through the Houthis09:10 U.S., UK and France after Nov. 3?09:35 Wrap-upAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 1 weeks ago16 min
U.S. Sends 10,000 More Sailors and Marines Toward Iran as Oil Stays Over $100 | Mike Drop Newsroom
Roughly 10,000 more U.S. sailors and Marines are headed for the Middle East with the USS Theodore Roosevelt and the USS Makin Island, as the buildup around Iran grows.MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 21 OCTOBER 2026The USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group and the USS Makin Island amphibious group, with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, are headed for the Middle East and expected by the end of November, joining the USS George H.W. Bush and USS George Washington. Mike Ritland breaks down what the added carrier and amphibious package signal to Iran, what a Marine Expeditionary Unit brings that air power can't, and why any move toward troops on the ground would change the cost of this war.Also covered: Iran keeps hitting ships in Hormuz even as Gulf oil exports climb back above pre-war levels, why oil is still over $100 a barrel, the administration's shift on Russia and Ukraine, and reports that Elon Musk pushed to slow the military version of Starlink that Ukraine relies on.Will resumed strikes on Iran bring oil prices down, or push them higher? Tell us in the comments.Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military.Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join00:00 10,000 more sailors and Marines head toward Iran01:40 What a Marine Expeditionary Unit adds02:55 Why troops on the ground change everything04:10 Headlines vs. opinions05:50 Iran keeps hitting ships, but more oil gets out06:40 Why oil is still over $10008:20 Can strikes bring prices down?09:35 The shift on Russia and Ukraine10:50 Musk and the Starlink slowdown12:55 The U.S., Russia and China at one table14:35 Gas prices and how Americans vote15:50 Your takeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 1 weeks ago4h 21m
Delta Force Veteran Reveals Why Some Teammates Called Him a Traitor | Ep. 314
In this episode, retired U.S. Army veteran Tom Spooner discusses his 21 years in the 82nd Airborne, 7th Special Forces Group, and Delta Force, and how he was an alcoholic who still crushed it in the 82nd. He explains how a sponsor, a notebook, and a very different idea of God helped him get sober. He also covers the Gulf War, going through Delta selection right around 9/11, and the 2006 mortar strike that left him with an undiagnosed brain injury, along with the moral injury that came with it. The conversation also explores Iran, whether the Iraq War was worth it, and the work Spooner is doing now as co-founder and president of Warriors Heart.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 1 weeks ago12 min
Hegseth’s Secret Israel Trip, Iran’s Reaper Claim and Britain Steps In | Mike Drop Newsroom
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an unannounced visit to an Israeli air base that hosts U.S. tankers and fighter jets, as the U.S. and Israel discuss resuming major combat operations against Iran.MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 20 OCTOBER 2026Hegseth met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Ovda Air Base in southern Israel, with UAE officials present, according to Axios. Mike Ritland breaks down why a trip like this usually means plans are already in motion, why any decision lands on U.S. troops in the region first, and whether the U.S. should finish the job in Iran now or keep up the economic pressure.Also covered: Iran's claim that it shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper over the Strait of Hormuz, and Britain sending fighter jets to defend Saudi Arabia after a Houthi missile strike killed dozens of Yemeni soldiers.Finish the job in Iran now, or keep the pressure on and wait? Tell us in the comments.Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military.Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join00:00 Hegseth's unannounced trip to Israel00:45 What it means for U.S. troops01:40 Why go in person, and why now?02:30 Finish the job or keep the pressure on?05:00 Is Iran comparable to World War II?06:30 Iran claims it shot down a U.S. Reaper09:10 Houthi strike kills dozens; Britain sends jets to Saudi Arabia11:15 Will the U.S. get pulled in?11:40 Wrap-upAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 1 weeks ago19 min
Iran Demands U.S. Forces Leave Hormuz, Ships Attacked Again | Mike Drop Newsroom
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz reopens only if the U.S. lifts its naval blockade and leaves the region, as attacks on ships near the strait hit a record for the war.MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 19 OCTOBER 2026Iran's foreign minister laid out Tehran's conditions on Sunday: lift the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, lift oil sanctions and end hostilities, while an Iranian army spokesman said the strait opens when U.S. forces leave. Mike Ritland breaks down whether the blockade still serves the goal of a non-nuclear Iran, and what it costs to keep U.S. sailors in range of drones, fast boats and mines while the war drags on.Also covered: the State Department's warning to Americans across the Middle East as the Houthi-Saudi fight widens, the airman killed in a rappelling demonstration before the Navy-UTSA game, and the rioting sweeping France.Is the Hormuz blockade still worth it? Tell us in the comments.Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military.Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join00:00 Iran: Hormuz reopens when the U.S. leaves00:58 Is the blockade still necessary?03:30 Waiting until after Nov. 304:45 U.S. troops in range of drones, boats and mines05:50 State Department warns Americans across the Middle East08:40 Airman killed in Alamodome rappelling demonstration12:25 Rioting sweeps France14:30 Immigration and capacity19:30 Wrap-upAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
- 2 weeks ago12 min
Iran’s New Defense Chief Threatens U.S. Troops, Tankers Burn in Hormuz | Mike Drop Newsroom
Iran's new defense minister, a veteran of its missile program, says the U.S. will take casualties if strikes resume, as new details emerge about the Kuwait attack that killed six American troops.MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 18 OCTOBER 2026Iran's parliament confirmed Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi, a U.S.-sanctioned veteran of its missile program, as defense minister, and his first message was a threat aimed at American troops in the region. Mike Ritland breaks down why that threat deserves attention, and what the Kuwait strike that killed six U.S. troops says about the countermeasures still protecting our bases. His take: it's not a reason to back off, but leadership can't leave gaps in force protection again.Also covered: two more tankers burning in the Strait of Hormuz as the U.S. and Iran disagree on what hit them, $10 gas and $110 oil, and President Trump's order exempting Russia from new sanctions as Washington looks for relief at the pump.Are U.S. bases in the region better protected now than they were in March? Tell us in the comments.Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military.Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join00:00 Iran's new defense chief threatens U.S. troops01:25 The Kuwait strike: a husband's question for JD Vance02:50 How seriously to take Iran's threats03:45 Force protection can't have gaps04:30 Two more tankers burning in Hormuz05:20 $110 oil and $10 gas07:25 Trump exempts Russia from new sanctions10:25 "It's the economy, stupid"11:40 Your takeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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About Mike Drop
Mike Drop, hosted by former Navy SEAL and bestselling author Mike Ritland, is a no-holds-barred platform that dives deep into the stories and experiences of extraordinary individuals. Known for his candid and unfiltered approach, Mike interviews guests ranging from special operations veterans and elite athletes to renowned authors and thought leaders, offering listeners an exclusive glimpse into the human side of those who have excelled in their fields. Whether it's discussing the intense challenges of combat or the resilience required to overcome personal adversity, Mike Drop provides a space where real conversations happen.
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