From the Projects to the US Marshals: Luke Adler’s 27-Year Journey of Chasing Bandits

In this gripping episode, we sit down with Luke Adler, a 27-year veteran of the US Marshals Service and author of Chasing Bandits. Born and raised in St. Louis, Adler’s story is anything but ordinary. From a childhood in a troubled home and a wild season working with traveling carnivals, to becoming a Marine Recon and later one of America’s most relentless manhunters—Luke shares it all.He opens up about his early brushes with the St. Louis mob, the life lessons that shaped him, and the pursuit of justice that led him into some of the most dangerous missions of his career, including the infamous Ruby Ridge standoff. Along the way, you’ll hear unforgettable stories—like the time he hunted down a meth-dealing mall “Santa Claus.”Packed with raw honesty, dark humor, and behind-the-scenes insights from decades in law enforcement, this conversation is a ride through survival, service, and justice.