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Mike Drop

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 a 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.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Oct 10, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. U.S. Forces Have Plans to Drop the MOAB on Iran’s Nuclear Sites | Mike Drop Newsroom

    U.S. officials say the military has built plans to drop the 21,600-pound MOAB on Iran's nuclear sites if the war resumes, with Trump saying no strikes before the Nov. 3 midterms. MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 16 OCTOBER 2026 Former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland breaks down the Pentagon's MOAB strike plans for…

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  2. U.S. Helicopters DESTROY an Iranian Spy Boat Shadowing Navy Warships | Mike Drop Newsroom

    U.S. Navy sailors pulled the crew off an Iranian-linked spy boat watching American warships in the Gulf of Oman, then attack helicopters fired missiles and set it ablaze. MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 15 OCTOBER 2026 Former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland breaks down the strike on Iran's spy boat and why boarding…

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  3. U.S. Forces Could Hit Iran AGAIN “Very Soon” as Tehran Digs In | Mike Drop Newsroom

    President Trump says a decision on Iran is coming "very soon," the Pentagon has asked for new strike options, and Iran is reportedly fortifying its nuclear sites. MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 14 OCTOBER 2026 Former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland breaks down what a second round of U.S. strikes on Iran would look...

  4. The Houthis Just Warned America. U.S. Troops Are Already in RANGE | Mike Drop Newsroom

    MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 13 OCTOBER 2026 The Houthis are warning of a "swift and painful response" if the U.S. joins Saudi strikes in Yemen, and American troops across the Gulf are already within reach. Former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland breaks down the Houthi threat and whether striking them now would…

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  5. Roman Empire Expert Warns America Is Repeating the Mistakes That Destroyed Rome | Ep. 313

    Roman historian and creator of The Roman Pattern, Jeremy Ryan Slate, breaks down the rise and fall of the Roman Empire and the troubling parallels to modern America. From corrupt political leaders and the execution of Rome's most capable generals to military decline, currency debasement, and...

  6. Houthis KILL an American as Trump Weighs Striking Back | Mike Drop Newsroom

    MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 12 OCTOBER 2026 A Houthi strike on Riyadh’s airport killed an American, the attacks haven’t stopped, and President Trump says the U.S. “may” join Saudi Arabia’s fight. Former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland breaks down what the Houthis mean for the war with Iran and why the U.S....

  7. U.S. Soldiers May Be FORCED to Execute the Fort Hood Shooter | Mike Drop Newsroom

    MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 11 OCTOBER 2026 The soldiers chosen for the Fort Hood shooter’s firing squad may have no way to opt out, and the Pentagon still wants the execution livestreamed. Former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland breaks down how military firing squads work and why he thinks this one should be...

  8. U.S. Army Will EXECUTE the Fort Hood Shooter, and the Pentagon Wants It Livestreamed | Mike Drop Newsroom

    MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 10 OCTOBER 2026 The Pentagon says the Fort Hood shooter will face a firing squad on December 3rd — and that the execution may be live streamed. Mike's read: nearly every veteran weighing in says the same thing. Carry out the sentence, but turning it into broadcast content is…

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  9. U.S. Carrier Group SANK 64 Iranian Warships, Then Came Home | A Navy SEAL Reacts

    MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 09 OCTOBER 2026 The New York Times says the Iran war was supposed to show off American power and has done the opposite. B-1 bombers are pulled out of Britain, bases across the Gulf are closed, and carriers are being resupplied from 2,200 miles away. Former Navy SEAL Mike...

  10. Iran Gets BOLDER as U.S. Forces Pull Back | Mike Drop Newsroom

    MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 08 OCTOBER 2026 The New York Times says the Iran war was supposed to show off American power and has done the opposite. B-1 bombers are pulled out of Britain, bases across the Gulf are closed, and carriers are being resupplied from 2,200 miles away. Former Navy SEAL Mike...

  11. Yemen Asked for Help. Why Did the U.S. Stand By? | Mike Drop Newsroom

    MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 07 OCTOBER 2026 France leads both papers again, so Mike skips ahead to the stories that matter here. The headlines: according to the New York Times, a Yemeni general warned weeks in advance that the Iran-backed Houthis were about to push along the Red Sea coast, and the U.S....

  12. The Delta Force and DEVGRU Op Nobody Talks About: Hunting Pablo Escobar | Ep. 312

    Former DEA Special Agent Steve Murphy—credited with taking down cartel kingpin Pablo Escobar, serving as a technical consultant for Narcos, and co-authoring Manhunters—sits down with Mike Ritland for an in-depth conversation. After watching the hit series depicting Murphy’s career, Ritland…

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  13. Wounded by Iran, Then Left on Their Own | Mike Drop Newsroom

    MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 06 OCTOBER 2026 The biggest story today wasn't on either front page. Mike pulls in an AP report: soldiers seriously wounded in Iranian drone strikes say the military's medical system failed them. One soldier had a damaged artery that put him at risk of a stroke. He was sent…

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  14. The U.S. Just Pulled B-1 Bombers Out of the UK. Why? | A Navy SEAL Reacts

    MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 05 OCTOBER 2026 The Journal and the Times split again today, and Mike gives the edge to the Times. The headlines: the U.S. is moving its B-1 bombers out of the UK over security concerns. Investigators say authorities in three countries missed chances to keep the FlyDubai...

  15. I Walked Away From God for Decades. Here's What Brought Me Back | Mike Drop Newsroom

    MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 04 OCTOBER 2026 A long one for Sunday. There's no Wall Street Journal today, so Mike covers the New York Times and then shares the story many of you asked for: his path back to Christ. He starts by setting the record straight. After hearing from viewers, Mike walks back his...

  16. A Private Intel Brief on Iran: What the Headlines Aren't Telling You | Mike Drop Newsroom

    MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 03 OCTOBER 2026 The Saturday papers split again, and this episode includes something new: a private intelligence summary from Mike's friend Max at Asylum Security, a former SEAL sniper who now works in executive security. It's not classified, but it comes from serious…

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  17. A Third Aircraft Carrier Is Headed to the Middle East. What's Coming? | A Navy SEAL Reacts

    MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 02 OCTOBER 2026 A busy front page to close out the week. The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal split today, so Mike covers both. The headlines: the Pentagon is sending a third aircraft carrier strike group and more Marine Corps ships to the Middle East, adding…

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  18. America Is Leaving Iraq. Was It Worth It? | A Navy SEAL Who Was There

    MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 01 OCTOBER 2026 Both the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times led with the same two stories today. The first: after more than 23 years and $1.7 trillion, the U.S. has closed its last major military base in Iraq, ending what critics call America's forever war there. The...

  19. Navy SEAL Captain Brad Geary: I Refused to Go Quietly | Ep. 311

    WANT MORE MIKE DROP? Become a Mike Drop YouTube Member and get closer to the show with exclusive members-only content, bonus access, and perks you won’t get as a regular subscriber. 👉 Click “JOIN” below the video to become a member. Former Navy SEAL Captain Bradley Geary joins Mike to reflect on...

  20. Max Afterburner Reveals Why He Broke the Rules to Save a Navy SEAL | Ep. 310

    Former F-15E Strike Eagle combat pilot and U.S. Air Force Thunderbird number two Ryan Bodenheimer — founder and host of Max Afterburner — joins me exactly 25 years after 9/11, the day that sparked his entire career. We cover his 70 combat missions and 300 combat hours in Afghanistan, a near...

  21. Federal Agent Reveals Why He Believes Epstein Left His Cell Alive | Ep. 309

    Former Diplomatic Security Service special agent and attorney Ryan Dalton joins Mike to discuss his career investigating human trafficking, protecting U.S. officials overseas, and his investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Ryan explains why, after reviewing released Epstein files, prison records…

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  22. Secret Service Agent Reveals What REALLY Happened Inside the Twin Towers on 9/11 | Ep. 308

    Retired Secret Service Special Agent Darin Kinder recounts surviving 9/11 from inside the World Trade Center, entering the North Tower to help people evacuate, and escaping the collapse of the South Tower. He also shares stories from his 25-year career, including counterterrorism work with the…

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  23. Navy SEAL: Kicked Out of the Naval Academy — Then Earned His Way Into the SEAL Teams | Ep. 307

    Former Navy SEAL Jonathan Wilson sits down with Mike Ritland to share his path from getting kicked out of the Naval Academy to fighting his way into the SEAL Teams and deploying to Iraq. He opens up about combat, taking a life, rediscovering his faith, the toll his career took on his family, his...

  24. Air Force JTAC Reveals Why Special Operators Can’t Fight Without Air Support | Ep 306

    Air Force Special Operations JTAC veteran Conan Higgins joins the show to break down what a Joint Terminal Attack Controller actually does on the battlefield—and why he believes air power could have changed the outcome of missions like Operation Red Wings. Conan deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and...

  25. The Day I Lost a Ranger: Tony Mayne on Faith, Death, and Purpose | Ep. 305 | Pt. 3

    In the final part of this conversation, Tony Mayne shares the story he says he's never told publicly before—the loss of his soldier Hing Shaw to an IED, and the impossible decisions made in the seconds and hours that followed. Tony also opens up about being forced out by a medical board, the…

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  26. Rangers, Delta Force, and the Cost of War | Ep. 305 | Pt. 2

    In Part 2, former Army Ranger Tony Mayne takes us deep into the objective and execution of the Haditha Dam mission—one of the most heavily defended objectives of the early Iraq War. Tony details the harrowing overnight drive through the desert, the ambush that nearly cost his team everything, and...

  27. 75th Ranger Veteran Finally Speaks On Haditha Dam & the Ambush That Followed | Ep. 305 | Pt. 1

    Retired Major Tony Mayne joins the podcast to walk through 12 years in U.S. Special Operations Command, including nine years in the 75th Ranger Regiment's 3rd Battalion, where he took part in the regiment's historic combat parachute assault into Afghanistan after 9/11 and later jumped into Iraq —...

  28. Debunking the Extortion 17 Conspiracy Theories Once & For All | Ep. 304 | Pt. 3

    In the final part of this conversation, Mike Sarraille recounts the base attack in Jalalabad where he served as Joint Strike Force commander, dismantles the conspiracy theories surrounding Extortion 17, and shares the story of Guardian dog Bart's final act protecting his handler Jet Li. He then...

  29. The Night Extortion 17 Went Down & Notifying the Families | Ep. 304 | Pt. 2

    Part 2 of this conversation with Mike Sarraille picks up inside the deployments that followed Ramadi, including the chaotic quick-reaction mission into Sadr City alongside a hastily assembled team from two different SEAL platoons. Mike breaks down the brotherhood built with Army infantry on the...

  30. The REAL Story Behind Michael Monsoor & Task Unit Bruiser | Ep. 304 | Pt. 1

    Mike Sarraille breaks down his path from getting kicked out of college to Force Recon to Navy SEAL to DEVGRU. He talks Delta vs DEVGRU, deploying to Ramadi with Task Unit Bruiser, and standing three feet from Michael Monsoor the day he died saving his team. Also covers DEVGRU selection and why he...

  31. Permission to Heal: Prime Hall on Plant Medicine, Faith, and Finding Purpose | Ep. 303 | Pt. 3

    In the final part of this Mike Drop conversation, Prime Hall traces his path from military transition into deep psychological healing. He details his first 5-MeO-DMT experience, a profound "hard reset" that showed him both the devastating and the redemptive paths his life could take, and how it...

  32. Shot Through the Neck: A Marine Raider's Deadliest Day in Helmand | Ep. 303 | Pt. 2

    Prime Hall returns for Part 2 of this Mike Drop conversation, taking listeners deep into his time as a Marine Raider deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He recounts the brutal June 14th, 2012 ambush where two of his closest teammates were shot, the insider attack that nearly killed him…

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  33. MARSOC Raider on Combat, Resilience, and Staying Alive | Ep. 303 | Pt. 1

    Mike Ritland sits down with Prime Hall — former Marine Raider, Marine Corps water survival instructor, co-founder of Deep End Fitness and Operation Resilience, founder of the Underwater Torpedo League, and recipient of the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Bronze Star, and Navy and Marine Corps...

  34. 80% of Russian Drones Never Reach Ukraine—Here's the Robot War | Ep. 302 | Pt. 3

    In the final part, Mike LeBlanc explains why Ukraine has become a real-time preview of future warfare, where robots and drones now do most of the fighting and over 80% of incoming Russian drones are stopped before impact. He breaks down the political reasons Russia hasn't crushed Ukraine, the...

  35. Ukraine Battlefield Tests: Robots That Can Now Open Fire | Ep. 302 | Pt. 2

    In Part 2, Mike LeBlanc details how a chance call pulled him away from a private equity offer and into Silicon Valley, where he co-founded Cobalt Robotics before launching Foundation Future Industries. He walks through the brutal early days of building a robotics startup, a company crisis over...

  36. He Built the Defense Humanoid Robots Now Fighting in Ukraine | Ep. 302 | Pt. 1

    Former Marine Corps officer, Harvard Business School graduate, and entrepreneur Mike LeBlanc spent 13 years in the Marine Corps, including back-to-back deployments advising Afghan forces, service with First Recon, a joint special operations task force in Bahrain, and a Pentagon role evaluating...

  37. WAR BENEATH THE SURFACE: Tunnels, Sub-Terra Combat, and the Next Battlefield | Ep. 301 | Pt. 3

    In the final part of this conversation, Major John Spencer breaks down the discipline he's built his career on: urban warfare. He explains why cities are the most complex environment any military can fight in, why the U.S. lacks real expertise in fighting underground, and how history's most…

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  38. THE COST OF COMMAND: 150 Lives, Zero Sleep, and the Making of an Urban Warfare Expert | Ep. 301 | Pt. 2

    Major John Spencer is a retired U.S. Army officer who served 25 years in uniform, including two combat tours in Iraq as an infantry platoon leader and later as a company commander during the Battle of Sadr City. In this part 2, he describes taking command of a company hours after it was…

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  39. TOP WAR STRATEGIST: Why the Iran Escalation Theory Left Out What Mattered Most | Ep. 301 | Pt. 1

    Major John Spencer is a retired U.S. Army officer with more than 25 years of service and is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on urban warfare. In this conversation, he breaks down the conflict with Iran, challenges popular predictions about escalation, and explains why war...

  40. Free Will, Faith, and Second Chances After the Fall | Ep. 300 | Pt. 3

    In the final part of this conversation, Derek Janisch talks about rebuilding his life after prison — reconnecting with his ex-wife in Hawaii, moving back to California, and starting over as a father, husband, and businessman. The conversation closes with a deep dive into faith, free will, and how...

  41. He Survived Afghanistan, Then Got Shot Growing Weed | Ep. 300 | Pt. 2

    Derek Janisch spent a decade in the SEAL Teams, deploying to Afghanistan and the Philippines, before his life came apart at home. In this part 2, he talks openly about the affair that ended his marriage, the arrests that followed, and the night on a Humboldt County cannabis farm when a dispute…

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  42. I Survived Afghanistan, But Almost Got K*lled in California Over $3k | Ep. 300 | Pt. 1

    Derek Janisch took PKM and RPG fire in Afghanistan and walked away alive. Years later on a California cannabis farm, an argument over $3,000 put a bullet in his chest. In this episode he breaks down both nights, the firefight that should have killed him and the one that almost did, plus the...

  43. Why the Epstein Files and Its Names Are Never Touched | Ep. 299 | Pt. 3

    In the final part of this conversation, Nic McKinley traces his path from private personal recovery work to founding DeliverFund, and delivers a hard-hitting breakdown of the forces enabling child trafficking in America today. He names Roblox CEO David Baszucki's own words on predators and…

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  44. CIA Recruitment, High-Speed Chases, and the Op That Led to DeliverFund | Ep. 299 | Pt. 2

    Nic McKinley returns for Part 2, picking up right after his time as a Pararescue instructor and walking through his recruitment into a specialized CIA unit. He details the grueling 30-day vetting process, the shooting standards that eliminated seasoned special operators, and the small-team…

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  45. PJ Turned CIA Spy Breaks Silence on Human Trafficking in America | Ep. 299 | Pt. 1

    Former U.S. Air Force Pararescueman and CIA officer Nic McKinley — a Harvard grad dubbed "the real Jack Ryan" for his operational background across spec ops and intelligence work — breaks down how his 11 years as a PJ and later role as country chief of a special CIA unit exposed him to the...

  46. From Imposter to Disciple: Tu Lam on Finding Christ After Fame, Psychedelics & a Broken Heart | Ep. 298 | Pt. 3

    In the final chapter of Tu Lam's story, the walls come down completely. Part 3 opens where the inner war is still raging — fame, an imposter's burden, and a broken heart that Eastern philosophy and psychedelics couldn't fully fix. What follows is Tu's account of the moment he finally surrendered…

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  47. Call of Duty's Most Downloaded Character: Opiates, Ibogaine & Seeing Jesus | Ep. 298 | Pt. 2

    Former Green Beret and Special Mission Unit operator Tu Lam opens up about the hidden battles that followed one of the most decorated careers in special operations. In Part 2, Tu and host Mike Ritland go deep on his years conducting covert intelligence work, the opiate addiction that took root...

  48. Tu Lam: How a Vietnamese Refugee Became a Green Beret & Call of Duty Character | Ep. 298 | Pt. 1

    Former Green Beret Tu Lam served over 23 years in Special Forces, deploying to 27 countries, and is the founder of Ronin Tactics and author of The Way of the Ronin. In this episode, Tu shares the full arc of his extraordinary life — from being born in Saigon and escaping war-torn Vietnam as a…

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  49. Florida Lt. Governor Jay Collins on Trump's Endorsement, AI Dangers, & Why Florida Must Not Fall Back | Ep. 297 | Pt. 3

    Jay Collins — Green Beret, combat amputee, and Florida's Lieutenant Governor — is now running for Governor, going up against a Trump-endorsed opponent in what he calls a fight to protect Florida's values and keep the state from falling backward. In this episode, Jay breaks down why he's speaking...

  50. Florida Lt. Governor Jay Collins: Retiring From Special Forces, the VA System, & Fixing America From the State Level | Ep. 297 | Pt. 2

    Jay Collins served as a one-legged Green Beret before retiring on his own terms, then transitioned into nonprofit work and eventually Florida politics — passing 55 bills in three years as a state senator and now serving as Lieutenant Governor under Ron DeSantis while running for Governor. In this...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

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 a 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.

HOSTED BY

Mike Ritland

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Mike Drop have?

Mike Drop currently has 438 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Mike Drop about?

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...

How often does Mike Drop release new episodes?

Mike Drop publishes regularly with 438 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to Mike Drop?

You can listen to Mike Drop on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Mike Drop?

Mike Drop is created and hosted by Mike Ritland.
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