Mike Drop

Mike Drop Podcast

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. 4 DAYS AGO

    Former CIA Intelligence Officer Andrew Bustamante | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 206

    Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop The Central Intelligence Agency is skilled in many covert practices, but being honest isn't always their strong suit. Just take it from Andrew Bustamante - a former covert officer that spent seven years at The Agency, Andrew was recruited while applying to join the Peace Corps after leaving the U.S. Air Force as a combat veteran. During his tenure at the CIA, he developed a range of valuable skills, growing to master the line between truth and falsehood while also meeting his wife at the Agency, where they quickly grew to learn that the CIA was no place for families. Today, he owns and operates his own company, Everyday Spy, where he trains everybody from casual interests to Fortune 500 CEO's in the very techniques he learned as a covert operator.  But leaving a life that is, to most people, a lie isn't easy. So where does the line exist between truth and fiction? Does the CIA ever cross that line, and when they do, is it purely in the interest of all American citizens? And if Andrew's skills at the CIA helped him to accomplish every goal he's ever set out to achieve, then what possibilities can those same skills unlock in the rest of us? Let's meet Andrew.  ---------- Want to learn more from Andy? Find your Spy Superpower: https://yt.everydayspy.com/MikeDrop Follow Andy on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Andrew-Bustamante Explore Spy School: https://everydayspy.com/ Join the podcast: https://youtube.com/@EverydaySpyPodcast ---------- Sponsors:  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 https://www.bubsnaturals.com/mike and use code MIKE for 20% off your order.  ---------- Beam Take advantage of Beam's biggest sale of the year and get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to https://www.shopbeam.com/MIKEDROP and use promo code MIKEDROP at checkout! ---------- 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    2h 58m
  2. 16 SEPT

    Navy SEAL Iditarod Racer Jeff Reid | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 205

    Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop Jeff Reid has a lot of mouths to feed. He's the owner/operator of Frozen Trident, a dog kennel he and his family founded in 2018 in Two Rivers, Alaska: the dog-mushing capital of the world. He's an Iditarod racer, having received the Red Lantern Award after racing with his own dogs along the wildly difficult long-distance annual sled dog race traveling 938 miles from Anchorage to Nome. He's also a former SEAL, having served 9 years with SEAL Team 4 with two kinetic deployments in Afghanistan.  But Jeff wasn't always a dog guy - he never even owned one growing up, in fact. It wasn't until his platoon met a stray dog named Frank on his second deployment in Afghanistan that things really started to change. So how's a Pennsylvania native end up deploying to Afghanistan, serving at the Tip of the Spear, retiring to Alaska, and competing in one of the coldest, most difficult races in the country? Let's meet Jeff.  ---------- Support Jeff Reid -  Website: https://www.frozentrident.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frozentrident ---------- Sponsors:  Beam Take advantage of Beam's biggest sale of the year and get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to https://www.shopbeam.com/MIKEDROP and use promo code MIKEDROP at checkout! ---------- Fueled by TeamDog | https://www.mikeritlandco.com | @Teamdog.pet TEAM DOG FOOD, TREATS & SUPPLEMENTS Be Your Dog’s Hero: Veteran-owned by a former Navy SEAL and Special Operations K9 Trainer, Team Dog provides a complete diet of science-backed premium dog food, treats, and supplements to optimize your dog’s health, forged from rigorous standards and real-world expertise. https://www.teamdog.shop  TEAM DOG ONLINE TRAINING Mike Ritland – a former Navy SEAL & Special Operations K9 trainer – shares his simple and effective dog training program to build trust and control with your dog. Based on Mike’s bestselling book “Team Dog, Train the Navy SEAL Way”, join tens of thousands of families that successfully trained their way to a better dog.  https://www.teamdog.pet  SHOP ALL THE MIKE RITLAND BRANDS  Get all your Mike Ritland branded gear - Mike Drop | Trikos | Team Dog https://shop.mikeritland.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    4h 35m
  3. 9 SEPT

    9/11 Secret Service K-9 Officer Dan Hughes | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 204

    Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop Dan Hughes was working as a Special Agent in the New York Field Office of the U.S. Secret Service when the first plane hit the North Tower on September 11th, 2001. As the second plane hit the South Tower, Dan set up an on-site triage area for the injured, witnessing atrocities and providing life-saving assistance that would later earn him the U.S. Secret Service Medal of Valor for his actions on the day. Later, Dan joined the Secret Service's Technical Security Division as an Advance Agent, supervising explosive detection canine sweeps for the President, Vice President, and major Heads of State, where he would discover a major K-9 shortage for preforming pre-event security sweeps. To help fill the role, Dan would go on to join the Bismarck Police Department in North Dakota, developing key K-9 team strategies along with his own business, 'Dogs for Defense' where he would personally subcontract K-9 security work in Iraq and Afghanistan alongside K-9 Adak (later named USA Today's #1 Most Heroic Dog) with Blackwater and other private security companies during height of the Iraq War in 2007. Today, Dogs for Defense continues to provide some of the finest working dog solutions around the world.  ---------- Support Dan Hughes -  Dogs for Defense Inc.  https://www.dogsfordefense.com https://www.instagram.com/dogsfordefense Dogs for Defense Foundation  https://www.instagram.com/dogsfordefensefoundation Kilo9er  https://kilo9er.com https://www.instagram.com/kilo_9er ---------- Sponsors:  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 https://www.bubsnaturals.com/mike and use code MIKE for 20% off your order.  ---------- Beam Take advantage of Beam's biggest sale of the year and get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to https://www.shopbeam.com/MIKEDROP and use promo code MIKEDROP at checkout! ---------- Fueled by TeamDog | https://www.mikeritlandco.com | @Teamdog.pet TEAM DOG FOOD, TREATS & SUPPLEMENTS Be Your Dog’s Hero: Veteran-owned by a former Navy SEAL and Special Operations K9 Trainer, Team Dog provides a complete diet of science-backed premium dog food, treats, and supplements to optimize your dog’s health, forged from rigorous standards and real-world expertise. https://www.teamdog.shop  TEAM DOG ONLINE TRAINING Mike Ritland – a former Navy SEAL & Special Operations K9 trainer – shares his simple and effective dog training program to build trust and control with your dog. Based on Mike’s bestselling book “Team Dog, Train the Navy SEAL Way”, join tens of thousands of families that successfully trained their way to a better dog.  https://www.teamdog.pet  SHOP ALL THE MIKE RITLAND BRANDS  Get all your Mike Ritland branded gear - Mike Drop | Trikos | Team Dog https://shop.mikeritland.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    3h 16m
  4. 2 SEPT

    Tier 1 British SBS Frogman Dean Stott | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 203

    Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop The Unrelenting Pursuit of Excellence. That's what Dean Stott's chasing - a 16-year career Veteran, Dean's started his military service by joining the SBS, an elite special forces unit of the United Kingdom. In 2011, an injury pushed Dean into the private security sector, providing expertise to governments, presidents, and royals, including single-handedly evacuating the Canadian Embassy in Libya in 2014. Then in 2016, Dean set his sights on a new challenge - cycling all 14,000 miles of the Pan-American Highway, a feat he completed while nabbing two world records to boot. An author, a speaker, and a personal friend of England's Prince Harry, it's safe to say Dean's got no shortage of incredible stories from his globetrotting work in protecting the people that matter most, from everyday citizens to the most privileged among us. But what's the real difference between an SBS Operator and their U.S. counterpart? How does one go about evacuating an entire embassy, alone, under threat of danger? And how exactly does someone manage to cycle the entire length of the American continent in just 99 days? Let's meet Dean.  ---------- Support Dean Stott -  Get Your Copy of Dean's Book, 'Relentless: From Special Operations to World Record Breaker' at https://www.deanstott.com/pages/book Check out Dean's Podcast, Behind the Seen at https://www.youtube.com/@behindtheseenpodcast Website: https://www.deanstott.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deanstott ---------- Sponsors:  Beam Take advantage of Beam's biggest sale of the year and get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to https://www.shopbeam.com/MIKEDROP and use promo code MIKEDROP at checkout! ---------- Black Buffalo If You're 21 and Older, consume Nicotine or Tobacco, and Want to Join the Black Buffalo Herd, Head over to https://www.blackbuffalo.com to learn more! Black Buffalo products are intended for adults aged 21 and older who are consumers of nicotine or tobacco. ---------- ---------- Fueled by TeamDog | https://www.mikeritlandco.com | @Teamdog.pet TEAM DOG FOOD, TREATS & SUPPLEMENTS Be Your Dog’s Hero: Veteran-owned by a former Navy SEAL and Special Operations K9 Trainer, Team Dog provides a complete diet of science-backed premium dog food, treats, and supplements to optimize your dog’s health, forged from rigorous standards and real-world expertise. https://www.teamdog.shop  TEAM DOG ONLINE TRAINING Mike Ritland – a former Navy SEAL & Special Operations K9 trainer – shares his simple and effective dog training program to build trust and control with your dog. Based on Mike’s bestselling book “Team Dog, Train the Navy SEAL Way”, join tens of thousands of families that successfully trained their way to a better dog.  https://www.teamdog.pet  SHOP ALL THE MIKE RITLAND BRANDS  Get all your Mike Ritland branded gear - Mike Drop | Trikos | Team Dog https://shop.mikeritland.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    3h 56m
  5. 26 AUG

    Air Force Combat Controller Jared 'CCT Peaches' Pietras | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 202

    Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop Jared Pietras knows the unbridled power of Close Air Support. With over 11 deployments and 25 years of service as an Active-Duty Air Force Combat Controller, he's worked with dozens of different special forces units across the globe, dispensing aerial resources wherever necessary. He's also one of the creators behind Ones Ready, an unparalleled resource providing information and consulting via podcast and special events specific to the Special Operations community.  Safe to say, there's no shortage of stories when it comes to calling in CAS, but how does somebody manage to do it consistently for such a long time? What are the nuances to managing battlefield resources, and how do you know when to deploy the right plane at just the right moment? And when it really comes down to it, how close does Close Air end up getting, anyway? Let's ask Peaches.  ---------- Support Jared Pietras -  Subscribe to the Ones Ready Podcast on Spotify at https://shorturl.at/e5lfy Website - https://onesready.com YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/OnesReady Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/onesready Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cctpeaches ---------- Sponsors:  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 https://www.bubsnaturals.com/mike and use code MIKE for 20% off your order.  ---------- Fueled by TeamDog | https://www.mikeritlandco.com | @Teamdog.pet TEAM DOG FOOD, TREATS & SUPPLEMENTS Be Your Dog’s Hero: Veteran-owned by a former Navy SEAL and Special Operations K9 Trainer, Team Dog provides a complete diet of science-backed premium dog food, treats, and supplements to optimize your dog’s health, forged from rigorous standards and real-world expertise. https://www.teamdog.shop  TEAM DOG ONLINE TRAINING Mike Ritland – a former Navy SEAL & Special Operations K9 trainer – shares his simple and effective dog training program to build trust and control with your dog. Based on Mike’s bestselling book “Team Dog, Train the Navy SEAL Way”, join tens of thousands of families that successfully trained their way to a better dog.  https://www.teamdog.pet  SHOP ALL THE MIKE RITLAND BRANDS  Get all your Mike Ritland branded gear - Mike Drop | Trikos | Team Dog https://shop.mikeritland.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    3h 16m
  6. Active-Duty California K9 Police Officer Zach Pfannenstiel | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 201

    19 AUG

    Active-Duty California K9 Police Officer Zach Pfannenstiel | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 201

    Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop The Mike Drop Podcast supports active-duty police officers in all capacities. The views and opinions expressed by Zach Pfannenstiel on this podcast are reflective of Echelon K9 and not of the San Diego Police Department.  Patrol Officer. Gang Suppression Team Officer. Canine Handler. Training Sergeant. For Zach Pfannenstiel, these aren't just familiar titles - they're positions he's served as a faithful executor of the San Diego Police Department - a department that he still serves under today. He's also dedicated a notable amount of time in his career to the canine unit; over a decade in fact, where he continues to serve as the Training Sergeant responsible for overseeing a team of over 40 working dogs.  But law enforcement is about more than simply catching criminals, - just last April, Zach testified in Sacramento to combat the elimination of Police Canines with Assembly Bill 3241, representing all Canine Handlers in the State of California. It's a thankless job, but somebody's got to do it - fortunately for us, Officer Pfannenstiel is still on duty.  ---------- Support Zach Pfannenstiel -  Website - https://www.echelonk9.com IG - http://www.instagram.com/echelonk9 ---------- Sponsors:  Beam Take advantage of Beam's biggest sale of the year and get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to https://www.shopbeam.com/MIKEDROP and use promo code MIKEDROP at checkout! ---------- ---------- Fueled by TeamDog | https://www.mikeritlandco.com | @Teamdog.pet TEAM DOG FOOD, TREATS & SUPPLEMENTS Be Your Dog’s Hero: Veteran-owned by a former Navy SEAL and Special Operations K9 Trainer, Team Dog provides a complete diet of science-backed premium dog food, treats, and supplements to optimize your dog’s health, forged from rigorous standards and real-world expertise. https://www.teamdog.shop  TEAM DOG ONLINE TRAINING Mike Ritland – a former Navy SEAL & Special Operations K9 trainer – shares his simple and effective dog training program to build trust and control with your dog. Based on Mike’s bestselling book “Team Dog, Train the Navy SEAL Way”, join tens of thousands of families that successfully trained their way to a better dog.  https://www.teamdog.pet  SHOP ALL THE MIKE RITLAND BRANDS  Get all your Mike Ritland branded gear - Mike Drop | Trikos | Team Dog https://shop.mikeritland.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    2h 38m
  7. 12 AUG

    Purple Heart Veteran Author Benjamin Sledge | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 200

    Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop Benjamin Sledge is a wounded combat veteran. He served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, serving most of his time under Special Operations Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command. He's received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and two Army Commendation Medals for his actions overseas. He's also a multi award-winning author, having penned several viral articles and two books, the most recent being 'Where Cowards Go To Die', an unflinchingly honest detail of his time served overseas and the haunting experiences that followed.  Since then, Ben's dedicated himself to his family and his creative works, tapping into his unique narrative voice characterized by a rare blend of poetic eloquence and unfiltered authenticity. But how does an aspiring comic-book artist end up going to Afghanistan, anyway? What's the story behind that Purple Heart of his? And when a soldier does finally come home from war, does their mind ever truly leave the battlefield?  ---------- Support Benjamin Sledge -  Get Your Copy of Benjamin's book, 'Where Cowards Go To Die' at https://benjaminsledge.com/where-cowards-go-to-die Website - https://benjaminsledge.com IG - https://www.instagram.com/benjamincsledge ---------- Sponsors:  Beam Take advantage of Beam's biggest sale of the year and get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to https://www.shopbeam.com/MIKEDROP and use promo code MIKEDROP at checkout! ---------- 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 https://www.bubsnaturals.com/mike and use code MIKE for 20% off your order.  ---------- Fueled by TeamDog | https://www.mikeritlandco.com | @Teamdog.pet TEAM DOG FOOD, TREATS & SUPPLEMENTS Be Your Dog’s Hero: Veteran-owned by a former Navy SEAL and Special Operations K9 Trainer, Team Dog provides a complete diet of science-backed premium dog food, treats, and supplements to optimize your dog’s health, forged from rigorous standards and real-world expertise. https://www.teamdog.shop  TEAM DOG ONLINE TRAINING Mike Ritland – a former Navy SEAL & Special Operations K9 trainer – shares his simple and effective dog training program to build trust and control with your dog. Based on Mike’s bestselling book “Team Dog, Train the Navy SEAL Way”, join tens of thousands of families that successfully trained their way to a better dog.  https://www.teamdog.pet  SHOP ALL THE MIKE RITLAND BRANDS  Get all your Mike Ritland branded gear - Mike Drop | Trikos | Team Dog https://shop.mikeritland.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    3h 23m
  8. 5 AUG

    AI Hivemind Swarm Pilot President Brandon Tseng | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 199

    Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop AI isn't always welcome when it comes to advanced warfare capabilities - we've all seen Terminator 2, after all. But when it comes to saving lives overseas, safety is always a top priority. Just ask Brandon Tseng - with 7 years in SEAL Teams under his belt, he's seen firsthand just how dangerous an aptly-named fatal funnel can really be. That's why he started Shield AI, a groundbreaking technology company that's set out to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems, driven by Hivemind, an AI Pilot that's designed to enable swarms of drones and aircraft to operate autonomously, without GPS, communications, or a pilot.  So how does one go about building an artificially-intelligent driven swarm pilot? Are we headed towards a future right out of science fiction, where machine learning inevitably starts to spin outside of human control? And most importantly, can an AI-powered quadcopter really clear a hell house better than a Navy SEAL?  ---------- Support Brandon Tseng -  Find Out More about Shield AI at https://www.shield.ai Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shield_ai X - https://www.x.com/brandontseng2 ---------- Sponsors:  Beam Take advantage of Beam's biggest sale of the year and get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to https://www.shopbeam.com/MIKEDROP and use promo code MIKEDROP at checkout! ---------- Black Buffalo If You're 21 and Older, consume Nicotine or Tobacco, and Want to Join the Black Buffalo Herd, Head over to https://www.blackbuffalo.com to learn more! Black Buffalo products are intended for adults aged 21 and older who are consumers of nicotine or tobacco. ---------- 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    3h 5m

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 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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