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.

The Shawn Ryan Show

Mike Hayes is a retired Navy SEAL commander, national security leader, and business executive. He spent 20 years in the SEALs, ultimately serving as commanding officer of SEAL Team TWO and leading a 2,000-person special operations task force in Afghanistan. He later served on the National Security Council for Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama where he worked on the START Treaty and led the White House response to the Maersk Alabama hijacking. Today, he is a Managing Director at Insight Partners and the bestselling author of Never Enough and Mission Driven. Hayes draws on his experience across combat, government, and business to speak on leadership, decision-making, and purpose.



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Mike Hayes Links:

Official Website - https://www.thisismikehayes.com

The 1162 Foundation - https://givebutter.com/1162foundation

 

Books:

Mission Driven -  https://a.co/d/09BklBVU

Never Enough - https://a.co/d/0akzYknd

 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thisis.mikehayes

X - https://x.com/thisismikehayes

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-hayes-733688

National Medal of Honor Museum - https://mohmuseum.org


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#350 Mike Hayes - The Navy SEAL in Obama’s Situation Room During the Captain Phillips Rescue

Leah,
I chose not to release your episode because I personally had serious concerns about the truthfulness of your statements. I take what I put out on my platform seriously for myself and for my listeners. For the sake of transparency, here's the full interview so everyone can watch and draw their own conclusions. 


As for my investments, I've intentionally made them public, as you see on my LinkedIn. I invest in Shield AI and Anduril for no other reason than I believe in their ability to develop technology that equips and protects the American warfighter. That's something deeply personal to me that I believe in.
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My Unredacted Interview with The Leah Files

AJ Gentile is the creator and host of The Why Files, the hit series exploring mysteries, conspiracies, strange history, science, and the unexplained. Before launching the show, AJ worked in stand-up comedy and radio, including roles with MTV/VH1 and SiriusXM. The Why Files has since grown into a massive online community, known for presenting extraordinary stories and then breaking down what can - and can’t - be supported by the evidence. AJ has also expanded the brand with The Basement, where he sits down for longer-form conversations with researchers, witnesses, and others connected to the stories he covers.



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AJ Gentile Links:

The Why Files - https://www.thewhyfiles.com

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheWhyFiles

X - https://x.com/ajgentile
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#349 AJ Gentile - Grand Canyon Conspiracies, AI Extinction and Nuclear War on Mars

Sergeant Frank S. Wright is a World War II Marine veteran who enlisted at just 16 years old following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served with the 4th Marine Raiders and fought in major Pacific campaigns including Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Guam, and Iwo Jima, where he was wounded in combat. He later served as a Marine Corps drill instructor and was promoted to Sergeant in 2025 in recognition of his lifelong service and commitment to the Marine Corps. Wright is also the author of Battles of the Pacific: World War II, My Personal War Causing PTSD and My 12 Days in Hell.



Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

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Frank Wright Links:

Purchase Battles in the Pacific - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WTR6X32
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#348 Frank Wright - The Last Living Original Marine Raider From WW2

Pierogi is the creator and host of Scammer Payback, one of the largest scam-baiting platforms online. After leaving a career in cybersecurity, he began exposing scam operations by infiltrating their systems, disrupting fraudulent networks, and educating the public on how scammers manipulate victims. Through his videos and investigations, Pierogi and his team have helped stop millions of dollars in fraud while giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at how modern scam operations work.



Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

Privacy Isn't Paranoia. It's Protection. Download Glacier - https://theglacierapp.com

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Pierogi Links:

Website - https://www.scammerpayback.org

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/scammerpayback

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@scammerpayback

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pierogisp

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/scammerpayback

X - https://www.twitter.com/scammerpayback
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#347 Pierogi - Shawn Ryan and Scammer Payback Troll Scammers LIVE

Lt. Col. James Lechner (Ret.) is a 27-year U.S. Army veteran and former Army Ranger whose deployments span Somalia, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. As a young Ranger officer, he fought with Task Force Ranger in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, where he was wounded in combat and awarded the Purple Heart. He later served as deputy brigade commander during the Battle of Ramadi and held assignments with SOCOM and the CIA. Most recently, Lechner traveled to Ukraine—first as a war correspondent and later training and advising Ukrainian forces, including service with the International Legion. Today, he works in the drone and counter-drone defense space, serves as an adjunct professor of American and Military History at Liberty University, and is the author of With My Shield.



Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

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James Lechner Links:

Book: With My Shield - https://a.co/d/06aHhXRe

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/James.lechner

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/james.lechner.2025

X - https://x.com/Lechner_jim
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#346 James Lechner - Army Ranger Recounts the Battle of Mogadishu: Black Hawk Down

Wynonna Judd is a five-time Grammy Award-winning country artist who rose to fame alongside her mother, Naomi, as The Judds, one of the most successful duos in country music history. After The Judds ended their original run, Wynonna launched a major solo career while navigating family challenges, personal loss, and the death of her mother in 2022. Now, more than four decades into her career, she is entering a new chapter with her upcoming album, The Hard Truth, out now.



Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

Privacy Isn't Paranoia. It's Protection. Download Glacier today - https://theglacierapp.com

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Wynonna Judd Links:

Tour Dates - https://www.wynonna.com/tour

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wynonnajudd

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wynonnajudd

X - https://x.com/Wynonna

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxtzJkaJAbvEX52EaLMKicw


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#345 Wynonna Judd - Dolly Parton, Naomi Judd's Death & Finding Her Biological Father

Dusty Slay is a stand-up comedian known for his Southern, working-class observational humor and is currently touring nationwide on his Neighborhood Guy Tour. Raised in a trailer park in Opelika, Alabama, he went from working regular jobs to appearances on The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Comedy Central, and Netflix. He is also a regular performer at the Grand Ole Opry and the author of We’re Having a Good Time: And Other Stories.



Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

Privacy Isn't Paranoia. Its Protection. - https://theglacierapp.com

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Dusty Slay Links:

Purchase We're Having a Good Time: (And Other Stories...)

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1668087669?tag=simonsayscom

Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/were-having-a-good-time-dusty-slay/1149525866?ean=9781668087664

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dustyslaycomedy

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dustyslay

X - https://x.com/dustyslay

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@dustyslay

Website - www.dustyslay.com
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#344 Dusty Slay - Moon Landing Conspiracies, Flat Earth, Aliens and the Nephilim

Jimmy Watson is a former Marine, Blackwater contractor, Navy SEAL, and former head of security, CEO, and close confidant to John McAfee. He joined McAfee’s inner circle in 2017 and experienced firsthand the legal turmoil, paranoia, and instability surrounding him. After leaving that world and battling addiction and personal loss, Watson returned to his Christian faith and now speaks about faith, purpose, and helping others out of destructive cycles.



Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

Privacy Isn't Paranoia. It's Protection.

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Get $10 off your first order at https://ponchooutdoors.com/shawnryan when you enter your email.

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Jimmy Watson Links:

Instagram -  https://www.instagram.com/MightyWarrior282

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@MightyWarrior282/videos

Book - https://a.co/d/0jgr1NJP

Mighty Warrior Performance - https://mightywarriorperformance.com

Linktree - https://linktr.ee/Mightywarrior282


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#343 Jimmy Watson - John McAfee's Bodyguard Reveals the Dead Man's Switch

Mike Jones, also known as Garand Thumb, is a U.S. Air Force veteran, firearms instructor, and one of the most recognizable voices in the firearms and tactical community. Through his platform, he tests weapons and gear, breaks down tactics and training, and explores survival, preparedness, and what it takes to operate in extreme environments.



Privacy Isn't Paranoia. It's Protection. 

Download Glacier - https://srs.site/glacierapp

Website - https://theglacierapp.com



Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: 

Head to https://superpower.com/srs  for $50 off your membership. Get 150+ biomarkers tested, a personalized health plan and on-demand care team. Detect early signs of 1,000+ conditions. #superpowerpod

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Michael Jones Links:

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/c/garandthumb

Instagram - instagram.com/garand_thumb

Facebook - facebook.com/garandthumb1

X - https://x.com/GarandThumb1




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