She Ran CIA Operations. He Led Navy SEALs. Their Story Is Unreal | Karen Schaefer and John Burnham Interview

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Not Special, Karen and John share what it was really like inside the CIA, SEAL Team 6, Afghanistan, and the mission environment that led to the Osama bin Laden raid.Karen spent 26 years serving as a CIA operations officer, deploying to some of the world’s most dangerous environments after 9/11. John served as a Navy SEAL and later as deputy commander at SEAL Team 6. Together, they open up about leadership, sacrifice, intelligence work, combat operations, and how America’s national security system evolved during two decades of war.From the chaos of early Afghanistan deployments to the inner workings of the intelligence community, this conversation gives a rare behind-the-scenes look at the people and relationships that shaped modern history.🎙️ In this episode: • Karen’s first deployment to Afghanistan after 9/11 • Growing up in a CIA family • John’s unexpected path to becoming a Navy SEAL • What SEAL Team culture was like before social media • The reality of Hell Week and BUD/S • CIA and military cooperation during the War on Terror • Inside the environment surrounding the Osama bin Laden operation • Leadership lessons from elite teams • The future of national security and cyber warfare • Why service, mentorship, and purpose still matter⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Why Karen & John are Special02:53 – CIA is More Scary Than Navy SEALs04:15 – How Karen Got Into the CIA09:12 – Whatever Led John to the Navy and SEAL Teams20:39 – BUD/S and Hell Week24:32 – What Was the First Day at the CIA Like26:45 – Was Karen Ready for the CIA32:06 – Reporting to SEAL Team 233:55 – The First Days in Afghanistan36:53 – CIA and Military Power Struggle40:26 – The Army - Navy Rivalry41:56 – The Bin Laden Raid from the NSC47:46 – The bin Laden Raid from the SEALs51:56 – The Beauty of Afghanistan54:35 – National Security in the US1:02:02 – Balancing a CIA Career and Being a Mom1:07:09 – Leaving the SEAL Teams1:14:38 – Harry Potter Wisdom1:18:02– Who is the Plus 1?1:24:53 – How Karen & John Met1:30:48 – What They Value Most in LifeConnect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_