
130 episodes

Mike Drop Mike Ritland
-
- Society & Culture
-
-
4.9 • 241 Ratings
-
The Mike Drop podcast is hosted by former Navy SEAL, Mike Ritland. It is a not so politically correct discussion of wide ranging topics that span from government, politics and war to health and fitness, from guns and survival skills to food and nutrition with music, BBQ and a touch of everything else in between. This is THE platform that is completely raw, totally unfiltered and in your face, while still intellectually sound with good intuitive dialogue between A-holes that know what they’re talking about.
-
Ranger K9 Handler Julian McDonald | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 125
Staff Sgt. Julian McDonald served nine and a half years in the army, predominantly as a Ranger and a Ranger K9 Handler, with eight deployments between Iraq and Afghanistan, and a Purple Heart to match. He's also Layka's handler, who, if you haven't heard, is one of the most famous dogs to come out of the military in recent memory.
With Julian in tow, MPC Layka's graced the cover of National Geographic, been the subject of an HBO Documentary, and even helped Channing Tatum make a little movie called 'DOG'. But when you ask Julian just what makes Layka so special, it's not just the dog, but Benno - the one who showed Julian the way - that really counts.
----------
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
01:45 - Seeds of Terror
10:00 - Childhood Memories
12:00 - First the Gym, Then the Sauna
16:00 - Born at Cannon Air Force Base
19:00 - Grandpa Beat Us on the Bus
24:00 - So Then I Got Expelled
31:15 - I'd Like to be a Ranger
39:00 - Baptized by Gunfire
43:30 - SEAL Team 6 & A Family Reunion
49:30 - Civilian Contractors On Target
56:30 - An Offset Infil
1:02:45 - Two Deployments in Tikrīt
01:11:00 - A Dog Handler in 2009
01:19:30 - My First Dog Benno
01:30:00 - Two Bravo
01:43:00 - Fentanyl Lollipops
01:54:30 - Surviving an IED, Barely
02:33:00 - Practically Full-Time Training
02:20:00 - A Tunnel Bite Story
02:25:00 - What Made Benno Exceptional
02:44:00 - The Dog Takes Drugs
02:48:00 - This Is It
02:58:00 - Benno's Last Deployment
03:17:30 - And Then I Had Layka
03:24:00 - Layka Gets Shot
03:36:00 - A Seven-Hour Amputation
03:44:00 - Adoption Papers
03:52:00 - Becoming a Symbol
03:57:00 - Two Years Sober
04:01:00 - Withdrawals on Deployment
04:05:00 - Finding Myself
04:11:00 - Mike on Rico
04:18:00 - Giving Gifts
----------
Support Julian McDonald:
Website - MPC Layka Statue Fund - https://www.scottswish.org/mpc-layka-statue-fund
IG - https://www.instagram.com/trent_k9
----------
Sponsors:
MyBookie
Sign up at MyBookie, use my promo code MIKEDROP and you’ll instantly get a deposit bonus up to $1000!
----------
Black Buffalo
Go to blackbuffalo.com/discount/MIKEDROP and use promo code Mike Drop at checkout for 15% off your first order!
----------
MUD/WTR
Go to mudwtr.com/mike to support the show and use code MIKEMUD for 15% off!
----------
BUBS Naturals
The BUBS namesake derives from Glen ‘BUB’ Doherty, who was heroically killed in Benghazi, Libya in 2012. In addition to remembering Glen for the patriot he is, the BUBS ethos centers around the passionate and adventure seeking life that Glen lived.
BUBS Naturals products are rooted in sustainably sourced ingredients and controlled consistency to provide our customers with the highest quality Collagen Protein & MCT Oil Powder that help you feel amazing and live a fuller life.
Our mission is simple. FEEL GREAT. DO GOOD. 10% always goes back to charity, helping military men and women transition back into civilian life.
Go to bubsnaturals.com and use code MIKEDROP for 20% off your order.
----------
Ketone-IQ
You can find Ketone-IQ at hvmn.com. Visit hvmn.com and use promo code MIKEDROP at checkout to save 20%. Again, that’s hvmn.com and promo code MIKEDROP.
------------
Fueled by TeamDog | www.mikeritlandco.com | @Teamdog.pet
ALL THINGS MIKE RITLAND:
SHOP for Fueled By Team Dog Performance Dog Food, Treats, Apparel, Accessories, and Protection dogs
MikeRitlandCo.com - https://www.MikeRitlandCo.com Team Dog Online dog training
TeamDog.pet - https://www.TeamDog.pet -
SEAL Team 4 ZeroEyes Rob Huberty | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 124
Artificial Intelligence? Nowadays most folks think AI is coming to take their jobs, but Rob Huberty doesn't think so. He's a retired member of SEAL Team 4 with three combat tours under his belt, not to mention a startlingly impressive sniping record at a range of over 1700 yards. Today, Rob's the Chief Operating Officer of ZeroEyes, a bleeding-edge security company that's using AI to detect firearms on existing security cameras in public venues all over the country, and Rob's not alone - he's running ZeroEyes with fellow SEAL Team 4 members CEO Mike Lahiff and CRO Sam Alaimo too. But how does ZeroEyes work? What are the risks involved? And how are a bunch of retired SEAL's going to make it better?
Website: https://zeroeyes.com
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3vLvnDX
FB: https://bit.ly/3WYnDuc
IG: https://bit.ly/3Izh4K2
----------
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
01:30 - Last Name Jokes
04:30 - Father of Four
08:15 - Born in Chicago
12:30 - A Good Old-Fashioned Hazing Story
21:00 - Joining SEAL Team Four
25:00 - Deboarding in Baghdad
39:30 - A Pretty Awesome Christmas Party
44:00 - 2nd Deployment in Afghanistan
52:30 - Sam Alaimo's Helo Crash Story
58:00 - The Shakes of the Valley
01:02:30 - Deadly Sniping at 1705 Yards
01:11:30 - Saddling Up for Deployment #3
01:21:30 - Chasing Lima One - Remembering Kevin Ebbert
01:37:30 - Commanding Officer Job Price
01:43:00 - A Dark and Silver Lining
01:46:00 - Mike Lahiff's Wharton Application
01:49:00 - Operations at Amazon
01:57:00 - The Meaning of Life from MDMA and Ibogaine
02:07:00 - Teaching Computers to Recognize Guns
02:13:00 - How ZeroEyes Actually Works
02:17:30 - Working on Existing Security Systems
02:24:00 - Gifts From the Show
----------
Support Rob Huberty:
Website: https://zeroeyes.com
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3vLvnDX
FB: https://bit.ly/3WYnDuc
IG: https://bit.ly/3Izh4K2
--------------
Sponsors:
Masterworks
Skip the waitlist, support the show, and start investing in blue-chip art today at https://www.masterworks.art/mikedrop
“net returns” refers to the annualized internal rate of return net of all fees and costs, calculated from the offering closing date to the sale date. IRR may not be indicative of Masterworks paintings not yet sold and past performance is not indicative of future results. See important Reg A disclosures: Masterworks.com/cd Masterworks’ offerings are filed with the SEC, view all past and current offerings here: https://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?company=masterworks&match=&filenum=&State=&Country=&SIC=&myowner=exclude&action=getcompany
--------------
Raycon
Right now, Mike Drop listeners can get 15% off their Raycon order at Buyraycon.com/mikedrop. https://www.Buyraycon.com/mikedrop
--------------
Manscaped
Get 20% off + free shipping with the code "MIKEDROP" at manscaped.com. That’s 20% off + free shipping with the code "MIKEDROP" at manscaped.com.
--------------
HVMN
You can find Ketone-IQ at hvmn.com. Visit hvmn.com and use promo code MIKEDROP at checkout to save 20%. Again, that’s hvmn.com and promo code MIKEDROP.
--------------
Athletic Greens
Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE Travel Packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit https://www.athleticgreens.com/MIKEDROP
------------
Fueled by TeamDog | www.mikeritlandco.com | @Teamdog.pet
ALL THINGS MIKE RITLAND:
SHOP for Fueled By Team Dog Performance Dog Food, Treats, Apparel, Accessories, and Protection dogs - MikeRitlandCo.com -... -
Echo in Ramadi Major Scott Huesing | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 123
Scott Huesing is a retired United States Marine Corps Infantry Major with 24 years of service, including 10 deployments to over 60 countries worldwide. He has led hundreds of combat missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Horn of Africa, and since then he's authored the bestselling book, Echo in Ramadi, which tells the story of his experiences and the sacrifices of his fellow Marines during the Second Battle of Ramadi in 2006. Today, Scott serves as the Executive Director of Save the Brave, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping veterans and active duty military personnel. But regardless of the time that's passed since, one thing's for sure - Scott still feels the Echoes of Ramadi, in one way or another.
----------
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
01:45 - California & Texas
03:45 - Morning Routine
09:30 - The Waukegan Kid
14:45 - Genetically Predisposed
16:45 - Operation Desert Shield Desert Storm
25:43 - A Criminal Justice Degree
28:00 - Becoming an Infantry Officer
33:00 - Generational Differences
35:00 - So We Were Living in Saddam's Palace...
40:00 - The Impact of 9/11
45:30 - On Hazing
48:00 - Boots on the Ground
56:30 - Working For the Government
1:04:30 - The First Ramadi Gunfight
1:06:00 - Corporal Libby
1:13:00 - Where the 2nd Amendment Doesn't Work
1:23:00 - Active City Tactics
1:35:30 - Dog Day Afternoons
1:38:30 - Fighting in the Al Anbar Province
1:45:30 - The Meaning of 'Echo in Ramadi'
1:48:30 - Homeward Bound
1:54:30 - Expeditioning in the Horn of Africa
1:57:30 - ... But Do You Miss It?
2:00:30 - Getting Into Nonprofit Work
2:05:30 - Save the Brave
----------
Support Scott Huesing:
Veteran Support - Save the Brave: https://savethebrave.org/
Book - Echo in Ramadi: The Firsthand Story of US Marines in Iraq's Deadliest City: https://amzn.to/3Gn5LCh
Website - Echo in Ramadi: https://bit.ly/3iiHXXW
FB: https://www.facebook.com/EchoinRamadi
IG: https://www.instagram.com/echoinramadi/
------------
Sponsors:
MUD/WTR
Go to mudwtr.com/mike to support the show and use code MIKEMUD for 15% off!
------------
Bubs Naturals
The BUBS namesake derives from Glen ‘BUB’ Doherty, who was heroically killed in Benghazi, Libya in 2012. In addition to remembering Glen for the patriot he is, the BUBS ethos centers around the passionate and adventure seeking life that Glen lived.
BUBS Naturals products are rooted in sustainably sourced ingredients and controlled consistency to provide our customers with the highest quality Collagen Protein & MCT Oil Powder that help you feel amazing and live a fuller life.
Our mission is simple. FEEL GREAT. DO GOOD. 10% always goes back to charity, helping military men and women transition back into civilian life.
Go to bubsnaturals.com and use code MIKEDROP for 20% off your order.
------------
Athletic Greens
Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE Travel Packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit https://www.athleticgreens.com/MIKEDROP
------------
Fueled by TeamDog | www.mikeritlandco.com | @Teamdog.pet
ALL THINGS MIKE RITLAND
SHOP for Fueled By Team Dog Performance Dog Food, Treats, Apparel, Accessories, and Protection dogs
- MikeRitlandCo.com - https://www.MikeRitlandCo.com
Team Dog Online dog training
- TeamDog.pet - https://www.TeamDog.pet -
Chad Robichaux's Interpreter Aziz | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 122
Who is Chad Robichaux's JSOC interpreter Aziz? During their eight deployments together in Afghanistan, Chad and Aziz saved each other's lives more times than either could count, providing invaluable intel and establishing connections all over the region. But when the Afghan government fell and interpreters began being hunted by the Taliban, suddenly Aziz and Chad had bigger problems. Because it wasn't just getting Aziz out that was the problem - it was getting his family out safely too. And of course, neither could have known at the time that they were building the foundation for Save Our Allies, an organization that's helped thousands of families escape since.
----------
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
01:20 - Merry Christmas from Mike Drop
05:00 - How Chad Met Aziz
08:00 - Bashir
14:00 - A Firefight Exit
16:00 - Buying Russian Weapons
20:00 - It's Not 'Corruption', it's 'Business Facilitation'
22:00 - Born in Kabul
24:30 - Escaping the Taliban
29:00 - Living under Mujahideen Rule
35:00 - They're Kind of Like Gangs, but Worse
41:00 - Nobody Really Thought about the U.S. until the War
44:00 - A Hairy HVT Story
49:00 - John Wick Academy
50:00 - A Shockingly Effemninate Talib
54:00 - An Administration Gone Quiet
1:00:00 - Learning to Culturally Blend In
1:09:00 - Encouraging Cooperation
1:11:00 - Close Calls at the Bank
1:16:00 - Hearing about the Withdrawal for the First Time
1:23:00 - Holding Leadership Accountable
1:26:30 - Crafting the Daily Caller Story
1:36:00 - Five Days in Hell
1:40:00 - Through the Taliban & Getting Shot at Along the Way
1:45:00 - Evaccing the Family
1:48:00 - One Backpack, One Pair of Clothes
1:53:00 - From Chad's Perspective
1:59:00 - 300,000 People Are Still Trying to Get Out
2:04:00 - Acclimating to America
2:06:00 - Chad, Meet Hatra
2:11:30 - 9 Months in Abu Dhabi
2:15:00 - Dennis' Perspective
2:19:00 - So There's a Man in a Ghillie Suit...
----------
Support Aziz & Chad Robichaux:
Saving Aziz (Book): https://www.amazon.com/Saving-Aziz-Mission-Calling-Thousands-ebook/dp/B09YNH4SF2
Save Our Allies: https://saveourallies.org
Mighty Oaks Foundation: https://www.mightyoaksprograms.org
IG: https://www.instagram.com/chadrobo_official
------------
Sponsors:
MyBookie
Sign up at MyBookie, use my promo code MIKEDROP and you’ll instantly get a deposit bonus up to $1000!
------------
Black Buffalo
Use promo code MIKEDROP at checkout for 15% off your first order on BlackBuffalo.com. And check out their store locator to see if Black Buffalo is sold at a retailer near you.
------------
Bubs Naturals
The BUBS namesake derives from Glen ‘BUB’ Doherty, who was heroically killed in Benghazi, Libya in 2012. In addition to remembering Glen for the patriot he is, the BUBS ethos centers around the passionate and adventure seeking life that Glen lived.
BUBS Naturals products are rooted in sustainably sourced ingredients and controlled consistency to provide our customers with the highest quality Collagen Protein & MCT Oil Powder that help you feel amazing and live a fuller life.
Our mission is simple. FEEL GREAT. DO GOOD. 10% always goes back to charity, helping military men and women transition back into civilian life.
Go to bubsnaturals.com and use code MIKEDROP for 20% off your order.
------------
USCCA
https://www.uscca.com/mikedrop
LEGAL DISCLAIMER -
The USCCA is not an insurance company. A policy has been issued to the USCCA. That policy provides the association and its members with self-defense liability insurance, subject to its terms, conditions, limitations, and... -
Delta Force Operator Tyler Grey | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 121
Tyler Grey grew up in Bakersfield, California, joined the army in 1998 and quickly advanced from training into the 75th Ranger Regiment, 2nd Battalion, spending most of his time there as a Sniper. He spent the rest of his career at Ft. Bragg. Grey deployed four times - two each to Afghanistan and Iraq - before he became disabled from an explosion that occurred during a late-night house raid that turned into a gun-battle in Baghdad in 2005. Nowadays, Tyler's an actor, producer, and director on the CBS show SEAL Team, where he puts his skills to work teaching others about the challenges our country's heroes face every day. But how did he get to work on an actual television show? Do people assume he used to be a SEAL? And what exactly happened in that late-night house raid in 2005 that changed everything?
----------
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
02:00 - ...But I Play One on TV
07:30 - Military Rivalries
10:00 - Morning Routine
12:30 - Hit on a Motorcycle
16:00 - Combat in Hollywood
22:00 - Filming Action Isn't Easy
24:00 - I Do All My Own Stunts
30:00 - Breaking Into Hollywood
36:00 - Real Kits, Real Guns
42:00 - Breaching Pyrotechnics
44:00 - On-Set Shootings on The Crow & Rust
49:00 - Growing Up in Bakersfield, CA
54:00 - Green Beret Dreams, Army Ranger Realities
1:11:00 - A First-Mission Combat Story
1:15:00 - The Best-Kept Secret in the Military
1:20:00 - Spec Ops Training Starts at Zero
1:27:30 - Feeling Like a Superhero
1:28:00 - A 2-Man Graduation
1:30:00 - Big Boy Pranks
1:32:00 - A Delta Force Operator
1:36:00 - A Thirty-Thousand Foot View
1:37:00 - Horribly Wrong
1:42:00 - A Fallujah Walkout
1:44:00 - Brilliantly Operated
1:50:00 - Military Married
1:52:00 - Second Deployment, '05-'06
1:54:00 - A Morbid Curiosity
2:01:00 - A Cool Dog Story
2:06:30 - Getting Blown Up: A Play-by-Play
2:31:30 - 60 Days in the Hospital
2:35:30 - 30-40% Mobility
2:38:00 - Being In Sets You Up for Being Out
2:43:30 - A Fundamentally Self-Destructive Person
2:46:15 - L.T.S.D.
2:52:30 - Self Destruction is Growth, Kinda
2:57:30 - Finding RAMBO
Support Tyler Grey:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/tyleragrey
SEAL Team on CBS: https://www.cbs.com/shows/seal-team
------------
Sponsors:
Masterworks
Skip the waitlist, support the show, and start investing in blue-chip art today at https://www.masterworks.art/mikedrop
“net returns” refers to the annualized internal rate of return net of all fees and costs, calculated from the offering closing date to the sale date. IRR may not be indicative of Masterworks paintings not yet sold and past performance is not indicative of future results. See important Reg A disclosures: Masterworks.com/cd Masterworks’ offerings are filed with the SEC, view all past and current offerings here: https://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?company=masterworks&match=&filenum=&State=&Country=&SIC=&myowner=exclude&action=getcompany
------------
Manscaped
Get 20% off + free shipping with the code "MIKEDROP" at manscaped.com. That’s 20% off + free shipping with the code "MIKEDROP" at manscaped.com. Keep things smooth and fresh as we say sayonara to Smooth Ball Summer and enter Fresh Ball Fall!
------------
Athletic Greens
Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE Travel... -
Black Hawk Down Major Jeff Struecker | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 120
In 1993, U.S. Special Operations Forces were sent to Somalia to capture war criminal Mohamed Farrah Aidid - a mission made famous by the movie "Black Hawk Down". For many, the movie's a glimpse into what really happened - but for Jeff Struecker, it's merely a shadow of a memory he's been remembering for 29 years. Because Jeff Struecker was there during the Battle of Mogadishu, and he remembers everything. Frankly, between serving 23 years in the military, raising five kids, earning a PhD, authoring six books, hosting a podcast, and leading the fine members of his congregation every single Sunday morning, it's still difficult to forget. That's why he's sitting down with Mike to tell his side of the story - the real story - and get to the bottom of how it all happened.
Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
2:10 - Best thing about being a pastor
3:55 - Favorite childhood memory
4:50 - Last book
7:50 - First three hours of the day
8:40 - Distance running and mountain biking
10:10 - Raising awareness on veterans suicide
13:25 - Growing Up Divorced
26:00 - Training to become an Army Ranger
28:00 - Panama invasion
35:30 - Carnage in the Gulf War
39:30 - One of the worst things he saw in Desert Storm
41:30 - Leading up to Somalia
45:00 - First days in Somalia
50:30 - Being a combat leader in this type of environment
55:30 - Black Hawk Down
58:10 - Reviewing the Film
1:01:00 - Timeline of the 18-hour firefight
1:05:30 - Most intense firefight of his life
1:06:30 - Black Hawks shot down
1:09:00 - UN Armor arrives
1:10:30 - Funny moments during the fight
1:13:00 - Sun comes up
1:16:30 - Zombie tactics
1:20:00 - What the movie got wrong
1:25:30 - Number of dead
1:28:00 - After the fight
1:30:00 - Combat stops in Somalia
1:32:00 - Stick with the fight until you win
1:33:00 - After Somalia
1:36:30 - Silver Star
1:39:00 - Joining the ministry
1:40:00 - Becoming an Army Chaplain
1:41:30 - Theology school
1:44:00 - History of Christianity
1:50:30 - Violence among denominations
1:57:00 - What is it like to be a chaplain in combat?
1:59:00 - Firefights as a chaplain
2:02:00 - Fears of starting a holy war
2:04:00 - Casualty Notification
2:06:40 - Perspectives on everyday problems
2:08:00 - Other veterans that are chaplains
2:10:00 - Requirements to be a chaplain
2:13:00 - Confidentiality as a chaplain
2:14:30 - Why does God let bad things happen?
2:16:00 - Families taking out their pain
2:17:30 - Poor leadership
2:20:30 - Wrapping up
Support Jeff Struecker:
Website: www.jeffstrucker.com
Podcast - Unbeatable with Jeff Struecker: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Kh6usOFkjXlaLn9efHe6n?si=bdddbeed58524a7b
YouTube: www.youtube.com/jeffstruecker
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pastorjeffstruecker
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeffstruecker
------------
Sponsors:
MyBookie
Sign up at MyBookie, use my promo code MIKEDROP and you’ll instantly get a deposit bonus up to $1000!
------------
Raycon
Right now, Mike Drop listeners can get 15% off their Raycon order at Buyraycon.com/mikedrop.
https://www.Buyraycon.com/mikedrop
--------------
Fueled by TeamDog | www.mikeritlandco.com |...
Customer Reviews
Mike
Really enjoy your podcasts, great questions that really draw the listener in. Also really like your clothing line plus I’m a huge canine lover. Just starting in on your canine tactics and really enjoying it. I’m all the way from canada🇨🇦, actually born an raised in a little town called Branford, Ontario, home town of Wayne Gretzky. Love your work brother!!!
Thanks Mike
Always enjoy your podcast episodes . Keep up the solid work Mike !
Good stuff
Amazing podcast. Keep up the good work