Mike Drop

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Cumulus Podcast Network
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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.

  1. 12h ago ·  Bonus

    A U.S. General LEAKED Iran War Secrets. Now DOJ Has the Case | Mike Drop Newsroom

    The Pentagon's top war planner has been fired and his case referred to the Justice Department after he was accused of leaking classified information about the Iran and Ukraine wars. MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 30 OCTOBER 2026 Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, the Joint Staff's director for strategy, plans and policy, coordinated the options for the Iran campaign. A Pentagon official accused him of leaking classified information to reporters, and an internal investigation report seen by Axios says he admitted it. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said classified information is "not personal property." Mike Ritland breaks down why a leak like this could cost U.S. lives, why the punishment at the top looks lighter than it would for a lower-ranking service member, and whether this should be treated as treason. Also covered: about $35 million in U.S. military aid to a Cameroonian unit tied to a third-country deportation deal, U.S. economic growth of 3.4% last quarter, the national debt passing 100% of GDP, and a federal judge refusing to set aside 20,000 California ballots the administration says are linked to non-citizens. Should leaking war plans be prosecuted as treason, or is firing enough? Tell us in the comments. Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military. Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join 00:00 Pentagon's Iran war planner fired over leaks 04:33 Military aid to Cameroon tied to deportations 16:03 U.S. economy grows 3.4% 16:55 National debt passes 100% of GDP 19:59 Judge rejects bid to set aside California ballots Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    A U.S. General LEAKED Iran War Secrets. Now DOJ Has the Case | Mike Drop Newsroom

  2. 1d ago ·  Bonus

    Iran Dared CENTCOM Over Hormuz. Now U.S. Forces Are Lining Up to Strike AGAIN | Mike Drop Newsroom

    The U.S. has told Middle East allies to prepare for renewed strikes on Iran after the Nov. 3 elections, and for Iran and its proxies to hit back. MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 29 OCTOBER 2026 Two diplomats told the AP that U.S. officials warned allies a new round of strikes could last several days, with Iranian retaliation expected against energy sites and critical infrastructure. The USS Theodore Roosevelt and amphibious ships with Marines are already in the region, and President Trump has not made a final decision. Meanwhile, Iran's Revolutionary Guard claims three tankers caught fire after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz and dared CENTCOM to prove the strait is clear. CENTCOM calls the claim false. Mike Ritland breaks down whether Iran strikes before the U.S. does, what units actually do in the days before a strike, and why even a false claim in Hormuz can choke off shipping. Also covered: Hegseth fires the Pentagon's top war planner days before the possible strike window, Netanyahu falls short of a majority but stays in charge, the U.S. ties Russian satellite help to Houthi strikes on Saudi airports, and a breach exposes about 40,000 DHS employees, including ICE and Border Patrol. Should the U.S. strike first, wait until after the election, or try to negotiate? Tell us in the comments. Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military. Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join 00:00 U.S. tells allies to prepare for new Iran strikes 04:28 Iran dares CENTCOM over Hormuz mines 07:52 Hegseth fires the Pentagon's top war planner 11:38 Netanyahu falls short of a majority 12:53 Houthis, Saudi airports and Russian satellites 17:45 DHS breach exposes 40,000 employees Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    Iran Dared CENTCOM Over Hormuz. Now U.S. Forces Are Lining Up to Strike AGAIN | Mike Drop Newsroom

  3. 2d ago ·  Bonus

    5 Army Bases Get Nuclear REACTORS as the Pentagon Preps for a Grid Attack | Mike Drop Newsroom

    Five Army bases are first in line for their own nuclear reactors as the Pentagon plans for every major U.S. base to run on its own for 90 days if the grid goes down. MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 28 OCTOBER 2026 The Army has paired five companies with Fort Bragg, Fort Campbell, Fort Hood, Fort Benning and Fort Drum to build nuclear microreactors, a deal worth up to $2.2 billion, with the first reactor targeted for 2028. It's the first concrete piece of FORTRESS America, the Pentagon's plan to make stateside bases self-sufficient for power, water, fuel and communications for at least 90 days, with no price tag announced yet. Mike Ritland breaks down why the Pentagon is preparing U.S. bases to stand alone now, what it signals about threats to the homeland, and why the same small-reactor model could help states fix their strained power grids. Also covered: two men facing new charges in the Iran-linked RAF Fairford incident and who should guard U.S. bases overseas, Israel's election ending with no clear majority, U.S. forces telling ships to stay clear of the Strait of Hormuz as oil stays high, and the Iran war's cost topping $47 billion. Do you live near one of these five bases? Would you want a microreactor next door? Tell us in the comments. Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military. Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join 00:00 Nuclear reactors for 5 Army bases and the 90-day FORTRESS plan 07:17 RAF Fairford: Iran-linked plot and who guards U.S. bases abroad 11:30 Israel's election: no clear majority 13:12 Ships told to stay clear of Hormuz as oil stays high 13:55 Iran war cost tops $47 billion Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    5 Army Bases Get Nuclear REACTORS as the Pentagon Preps for a Grid Attack | Mike Drop Newsroom

  4. 4d ago

    FBI Negotiator Reveals What REALLY Happened During the Boston Bomber's Capture | Ep. 315

    Airborne Ranger, FBI Hostage Rescue Team operator, sniper, breacher, and FBI Crisis Negotiation Unit veteran Kyle Vowinkel, author of the upcoming book Shaping Chaos, sits down with Mike Ritland to break down the night he was called in to talk to the most wanted man in America. With 400 officers on scene, a dozen flashbangs thrown into the boat, and nothing working, the call came down from the FBI director to try talking. Kyle walks through the ten minutes of dead silence, the word that finally broke it, and the hour and a half that followed. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    FBI Negotiator Reveals What REALLY Happened During the Boston Bomber's Capture | Ep. 315

  5. 4d ago ·  Bonus

    The Pentagon Is Preparing U.S. Bases to Survive ALONE for 90 Days | Mike Drop Newsroom

    U.S. forces in the Middle East could launch a major new strike on Iran within 96 hours of a presidential order, and the target list now includes Iran's energy infrastructure. MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 26 OCTOBER 2026 According to CNN, U.S. officials say forces already in the region could launch a bigger operation than past strikes within 96 hours of an order, with a target list covering energy infrastructure, military sites and nuclear facilities. Some officials think an order could come before the year ends, most likely after the Nov. 3 midterms. Mike Ritland breaks down what the new readiness posture signals, why he doesn't think this is only pressure for a deal, and why Iran's track record of dragging out talks makes him doubt another round of negotiations. Also covered: the Houthis firing a missile barrage at Saudi Arabia and why they're the most likely group to hit U.S. ships and Gulf bases if strikes resume; a Pentagon plan for major U.S. bases at home to run on their own power, water and fuel for 90 days; Saudi, Pakistani and Turkish officials meeting Iran in Tehran; and Brazil's presidential runoff. Strike now, or try for one more deal? Tell us in the comments. Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military. Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join 00:00 U.S. forces could strike Iran within 96 hours 00:50 Intel warnings and the Riyadh embassy drawdown 01:15 Why this posture is different 02:30 Can pressure force a deal? 03:20 Strike now, or one more deal? 04:25 Houthis fire a missile barrage at Saudi Arabia 05:15 Why the Houthis are the biggest threat to U.S. forces 06:15 U.S. missile defense stocks 07:05 How U.S. forces could hit the Houthis 08:45 Pentagon: bases must run 90 days on their own 10:00 Why that's never happened before 11:15 What it means for civilians near bases 13:15 U.S. partners meet Iran in Tehran 14:35 Help or hurt U.S. pressure? 16:40 Brazil's election 18:20 Wrap-up Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    The Pentagon Is Preparing U.S. Bases to Survive ALONE for 90 Days | Mike Drop Newsroom

  6. 6d ago ·  Bonus

    Iran Bars U.S. Warships From the Gulf as Plots Against Americans Advance | Mike Drop Newsroom

    Iran's armed forces chief says U.S. warships will never be allowed in the Persian Gulf, as a U.S. envoy says strikes on Iran could come this weekend. MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 24 OCTOBER 2026 Iran's armed forces chief of staff, Ali Abdollahi, says Iran will not allow U.S. military ships in the Persian Gulf under any circumstances. Hours earlier, U.S. ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said a U.S. strike on Iran could "absolutely" come this weekend, while President Trump said he didn't know anything about it and has said strikes would wait until after the Nov. 3 midterms. Mike Ritland breaks down the mixed signals, why he doesn't think strikes are likely before the election, and why he believes election timing shouldn't drive military decisions. Also covered: an intelligence memo from DNI Jay Clayton warning that Iranian plots to kill Americans abroad have reached "advanced stages," the State Department cutting embassy staff across the region, why the memo was made public, and Houthi missiles fired toward Saudi Arabia's Red Sea route around Hormuz. Should election timing play any role in when the U.S. strikes Iran? Tell us in the comments. Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military. Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join 00:00 Iran: no U.S. warships in the Gulf 00:25 U.S. envoy: a strike could come this weekend 00:50 Mixed signals on strike timing 01:40 Why the administration is waiting 02:05 Should politics drive war timing? 03:45 Iranian plots against Americans reach "advanced stages" 04:10 Embassies and bases cut staff 04:35 Why make the memo public? 06:15 Building the case for strikes? 07:05 How the FBI handles plots at home 07:55 Houthis target Saudi Arabia's Hormuz bypass 08:45 Iran's reach through the Houthis 09:10 U.S., UK and France after Nov. 3? 09:35 Wrap-up Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    Iran Bars U.S. Warships From the Gulf as Plots Against Americans Advance | Mike Drop Newsroom

  7. Oct 21 ·  Bonus

    U.S. Sends 10,000 More Sailors and Marines Toward Iran as Oil Stays Over $100 | Mike Drop Newsroom

    Roughly 10,000 more U.S. sailors and Marines are headed for the Middle East with the USS Theodore Roosevelt and the USS Makin Island, as the buildup around Iran grows. MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 21 OCTOBER 2026 The USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group and the USS Makin Island amphibious group, with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, are headed for the Middle East and expected by the end of November, joining the USS George H.W. Bush and USS George Washington. Mike Ritland breaks down what the added carrier and amphibious package signal to Iran, what a Marine Expeditionary Unit brings that air power can't, and why any move toward troops on the ground would change the cost of this war. Also covered: Iran keeps hitting ships in Hormuz even as Gulf oil exports climb back above pre-war levels, why oil is still over $100 a barrel, the administration's shift on Russia and Ukraine, and reports that Elon Musk pushed to slow the military version of Starlink that Ukraine relies on. Will resumed strikes on Iran bring oil prices down, or push them higher? Tell us in the comments. Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military. Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join 00:00 10,000 more sailors and Marines head toward Iran 01:40 What a Marine Expeditionary Unit adds 02:55 Why troops on the ground change everything 04:10 Headlines vs. opinions 05:50 Iran keeps hitting ships, but more oil gets out 06:40 Why oil is still over $100 08:20 Can strikes bring prices down? 09:35 The shift on Russia and Ukraine 10:50 Musk and the Starlink slowdown 12:55 The U.S., Russia and China at one table 14:35 Gas prices and how Americans vote 15:50 Your take Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    U.S. Sends 10,000 More Sailors and Marines Toward Iran as Oil Stays Over $100 | Mike Drop Newsroom

  8. Oct 20

    Delta Force Veteran Reveals Why Some Teammates Called Him a Traitor | Ep. 314

    In this episode, retired U.S. Army veteran Tom Spooner discusses his 21 years in the 82nd Airborne, 7th Special Forces Group, and Delta Force, and how he was an alcoholic who still crushed it in the 82nd. He explains how a sponsor, a notebook, and a very different idea of God helped him get sober. He also covers the Gulf War, going through Delta selection right around 9/11, and the 2006 mortar strike that left him with an undiagnosed brain injury, along with the moral injury that came with it. The conversation also explores Iran, whether the Iraq War was worth it, and the work Spooner is doing now as co-founder and president of Warriors Heart. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    Delta Force Veteran Reveals Why Some Teammates Called Him a Traitor | Ep. 314
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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.

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