#235 John "Tig" Tiegen - 13th Anniversary of the Benghazi Attacks
John “Tig” Tiegen is a former U.S. Marine Sergeant and security contractor renowned for his heroic actions during the 2012 Benghazi attacks. Serving with the CIA's Global Response Staff, Tiegen was part of the elite team that defended the U.S. diplomatic compound and CIA Annex against militant assaults on September 11, 2012, saving numerous lives over 13 grueling hours.
With over 13 years in high-threat security for Blackwater and government agencies, he has deployed to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq. Tiegen co-authored the New York Times bestseller 13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi (2014) and served as a consultant for Michael Bay’s film adaptation (2016).
A sought-after motivational speaker, he shares lessons on leadership, resilience, and teamwork through his organization Beyond the Battlefield, supporting veterans and first responders.
He continues advocating for truth, patriotism, and mental health awareness, often speaking at events about overcoming adversity. Tiegen is running for mayor of Colorado Springs.
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John "Tig" Tiegen Links:
Linktree - https://linktr.ee/tigtiegen
Website - https://tigtiegen.com
X - https://x.com/TigTiegen
IG - https://www.instagram.com/tigtiegen
LI - https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-tig-tiegen-6421455
Book (13 Hours) - https://www.amazon.com/13-Hours-Account-Happened-Benghazi/dp/1455582271
Album - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/johntigtiegen/rest-now-brothers-2
YT - https://www.youtube.com/@TheModernPatriotPodcast
FB - https://www.facebook.com/TheModernPatriotMedia
Campaign - https://tigformayor.com
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3:45:00
#234 Jared Isaacman - Will China Trigger the Next Sputnik Moment for NASA?
Jared Isaacman is an American billionaire entrepreneur, pilot, and commercial astronaut. He founded Shift4 Payments in 1999 at age 16, growing it into a leading integrated payment processing company that went public in 2020, handling transactions for a third of U.S. restaurants and hotels. An accomplished aviator with over 7,000 flight hours, Isaacman set a world speed record for circumnavigating the globe in a light jet in 2009 and founded Draken International in 2012, the world's largest private air force providing adversary air support.
In space exploration, he commanded the all-civilian Inspiration4 mission in 2021, raising $240 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and Polaris Dawn in 2024, conducting the first private spacewalk and testing Starlink communications.
Nominated by President Trump for NASA Administrator in December 2024, the nomination was withdrawn in June 2025 due to prior political donations, after which Isaacman donated $15 million to U.S. Space Camp programs. He advocates for advancing human spaceflight, public-private partnerships in aerospace, and philanthropy, including support for Make-A-Wish and veteran causes through his Polaris Program. Married to Monika with two children, Isaacman continues to push boundaries in business, aviation, and space.
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Jared Isaacman Links:
X - https://x.com/rookisaacman
IG - https://www.instagram.com/rookisaacman
Shift4 Payments - https://shift4.com
Polaris Program - https://polarisprogram.com/team/jared-isaacman
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3:00:10
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3:00:10
#233 Nathan Apffel - Inside the Dark World of Megachurches and Corrupt Pastors
Nathan Apffel is a Christian, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and director of The Religion Business, a multi-part docuseries that exposes the financial practices and lack of accountability in Western religion, particularly Christianity. Drawing from personal experiences with church scandals and abuse, Apffel investigates how religious institutions accumulate vast wealth, estimated at $2 trillion in the U.S. alone, while often prioritizing internal spending over community impact, with 94 cents of every donated dollar staying within church walls. Co-produced with Chris Ayoub, the series features interviews with experts like Joel Osteen and highlights issues like the religious exemption from financial reporting.
Apffel is developing tech solutions to promote transparency and community-driven reform in religious organizations. He advocates for ethical governance, victim support, and redirecting resources to solve global issues like poverty and homelessness. Based in the U.S., Apffel blends storytelling, technology, and faith to challenge the status quo and foster meaningful change in the "nonprofit Goliath" of organized religion.
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Nathan Apffel Links:
The Religion Business Website - https://www.thereligionbusiness.com
IG - https://www.instagram.com/nathan_apffel
IG - https://www.instagram.com/religionbusiness
YT - https://www.youtube.com/@thereligionbusiness
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2:50:07
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2:50:07
#232 John Rich - Big & Rich Country Star Performs Unreleased Song LIVE
John Rich is an American country music singer-songwriter, record producer, and entrepreneur. He first gained prominence as a bassist and vocalist in the band Lonestar from 1992 to 1998, contributing to hits like "Amazed."
In 1998, he co-founded the duo Big & Rich with Big Kenny Alphin, achieving multi-platinum success with albums like Horse of a Different Color (2004) and singles such as "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)," blending country with rock and rap influences.
As a solo artist, Rich released tracks like "Shuttin' Detroit Down" (2009) and hosted CMT's Gone Country while winning Celebrity Apprentice in 2011, raising over $1.3 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
An entrepreneur, he launched Redneck Riviera whiskey and a Nashville bar, co-founded Old Glory Bank. Rich supports causes like veterans through the Return the Favor campaign with the VFW and online child safety, partnering with DHS for a 2025 livestream on protecting kids from predators. In 2025, he received the Bob Hope Award at the Patriot Gala for military advocacy.
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John Rich Links:
Website - https://www.johnrich.com
X - https://x.com/johnrich
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnrichofficial
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JohnRichMusic
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@johnrichofficial
Big & Rich - https://bigandrich.com
Redneck Riviera - https://redneckriviera.com
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4:29:36
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4:29:36
#231 Gerard Barron - CIA Project Azorian & Deep Sea Mining That Could Change the World
Gerard Barron, born in Queensland, Australia, is the Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO of The Metals Company, a position he has held since 2017. A seasoned entrepreneur with a track record in battery technology, media, and future-oriented resource development, Barron leads the company's efforts to harvest polymetallic nodules from the deep ocean floor, providing sustainable sources of critical metals like nickel, copper, cobalt, and manganese for electric vehicles and renewable energy.
He previously co-founded DeepGreen in 2011 and assumed full control in 2017, guiding it through a public listing and partnerships to advance environmentally responsible deep-sea mining as an alternative to land-based extraction.
Barron testified before the U.S. Congress in April 2025 on national security and critical minerals, emphasizing the strategic importance of ocean resources. He advocates for innovation in clean tech, reducing mining's ecological footprint, and securing supply chains for the global energy transition, often speaking at forums like the St. Gallen Symposium and GESDA.
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Gerard Barron Links:
The Metals Company - https://metals.co
X - https://x.com/gtbgtb
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerardbarron
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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.
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