Break It Down Show

Pete A Turner
  • 4.7 (96)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Pete A Turner explores great conversations across a vast array of topics and personalities. The Break It Down Show is over 10 years old and has published over 2000 episodes. Find Pete at @peteaturner on most social media sites.

  1. 1D AGO

    Robert Olmsted - Counterintelligence Agent

    Chief Rober Olmsted is a seasoned US Army Counterintelligence Agent. During his career, he took on many assignments. Like many spies, he always wanted to be the most comfortable person in the room. Chief was adept at leading field operations. This means going in with little preparation and still coming home, safe, with a bag of golden information. Chief Olmsted was in D Co 165th MI Battalion with Pete A Turner. The Break It Down Show welcomes the return of Robert Olmsted.

    1h 4m

  2. 1D AGO

    Chris Papst - Failure Factory

    Chris Papst is the lead reporter for Project Baltimore, Fox45 News' ongoing investigation into Maryland's public education system. He is a national award-winning journalist and best-selling author. chrispapst.com Chris' work has led to the passing of state laws, criminal convictions and court rulings that have set legal precedent throughout Maryland. As an author, his books Failure Factory and Capital Murder both hit #1 on Amazon in three categories. His book, Devolution – a novel – was released in the summer of 2016. Get Failure Factory on Amazon at https://amzn.to/4t0THx8 ​ During his career Chris' work has received awards of recognition from institutions such as the Maryland General Assembly, the Maryland Office of the Comptroller and the Maryland Office of the Inspector General for Education. In 2023, Chris received the Excellence in Education Advocacy Award from the Randallstown Chapter of the NAACP.

    41 min

  3. MAR 25

    Nick Leisure – Golden, Starring Brian Austin Green

    Nick Leisure is an American filmmaker, director, and producer known for crafting grounded, character-driven thrillers with commercial appeal and global reach. Founder of Leisure Films Ltd., Leisure has built a reputation for delivering elevated independent features that blend gritty realism with high-stakes storytelling. His latest feature, Golden (Level 33 Entertainment), starring Brian Austin Green, Massi Furlan, Robert Miano, Glenn Plummer, Alena Savostakova, and Josh Gilmer, marks his most ambitious theatrical release to date, opening nationwide on March 20. The action-thriller follows a struggling print shop worker who discovers he can create flawless counterfeit money, only to be pulled into a dangerous cross-border criminal world he can't escape. Leisure's expanding slate includes The Last Bride (starring Charlotte Kirk, 2026) and New Year's Absolution (starring Michael Copon, 2026). He previously directed Last The Night starring Brian Austin Green and A Clear Shot starring Mario Van Peebles, both of which achieved successful theatrical releases and helped establish his voice in the independent action-thriller space.

    55 min

  4. MAR 24

    Amber Brittain-Hale & Mike Cote - The Iran vs US/Israel War

    Dr Amber Brittain-Hale returns to the Break It Down Show with Pete A Turner. Joining Pete and Amber is Mike Cote. Both Amber and Mike are credentialed policy folks who are regulars on the Break It Down Show. As the Iran conflict continues to evolve, we're looking to Amber and Mike to help get us on the right track. They argue the b******t-to-fact ratio exceeds 50/50, driven by legacy media spin, selective sourcing (e.g., Hamas-run health ministry or anonymous U.S. officials), and anti-Trump narratives that downplay staggering U.S./Israeli operational successes in degrading Iran's regime, missiles, and nuclear assets. Mike emphasizes military effectiveness, tactical ambiguity in messaging for operational security, and the need to ignore detached "failure" spins. Amber highlights Trump's psyops (e.g., "talking to someone in Iran"), appropriate pacing, and the value of primary sources while warning against cynical framing that undermines the effort. Both stress pre-existing detailed contingency plans, regional realignment (Gulf states, Ukraine, Japan partnering against Iran), and the war's role in broader stability—contrasting it with media-driven impatience over the Strait of Hormuz or "day after" scenarios. They critique media hypocrisy, anonymous leaks benefiting opponents, and politicized analysis (e.g., from figures like Mehdi Hasan or Joe Kent). Antisemitism ties into anti-Americanism, often funded by Iranian proxies. Mike Coté: rationalpolicy.com (Substack on geopolitics and history). Dr. Amber Brittain-Hale: brainstatesinc.com (foreign policy and strategic analysis). brainstatesinc.com

    55 min

  5. MAR 24

    Brad Beeler - Tell Me Everything

    Recently retired after 25 years with the United States Secret Service, Brad brings a wealth of experience from his distinguished career. In his final position as an instructor at the National Center for Credibility Assessment (NCCA), he trained thousands of federal law enforcement and intelligence agents in credibility assessment and elicitation techniques. Brad also served on the protection detail for former president George H. W. Bush and various foreign heads of state. As a federal polygraph examiner for 17 years, he secured numerous confessions in high-profile investigations and conducted the most criminal polygraph examinations in the agency's history. With a master's degree in criminology, he was honored as the U.S. Secret Service Special Agent of the Year for combating crimes against children. Recognized globally as a communications expert, Brad has delivered sought-after presentations to law enforcement and intelligence agencies worldwide. Get Tell Me Everything on Amazon at amzn.to/4bOG7qI Mastering communication isn't just a skill—it's the cornerstone of trust, influence, and success. Imagine effortlessly connecting with anyone—whether a colleague, client, or loved one—leaving them feeling valued, understood, and willing to open up. Brad Beeler, a retired Special Agent with 25 years in the U.S. Secret Service, is one of the agency's most experienced and decorated polygraph examiners. Over decades, he honed his communication expertise in high-stakes environments, extracting confessions in high-profile cases and fostering trust in delicate interactions. In Tell Me Everything Brad blends field-tested strategies from years of real-world, high-pressure scenarios with practical tools that anyone can use in everyday conversations.

    13 min

  6. MAR 19

    Sal Mercogliano - What's Going On With Shipping

    Dr. Salvatore R. Mercogliano is an associate professor of history at Campbell University in North Carolina and adjunct professor at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. He holds a bachelor of science in marine transportation from the State University of New York Maritime College, along with a merchant marine deck officer license (unlimited tonnage 2nd mate), a master's in maritime history and nautical archaeology from East Carolina University, and a Ph.D. in military and naval history from the University of Alabama. Sal has robust social media accounts on YouTube, X etc.... Be sure to check out @wgowshipping on YouTube

    57 min

  7. MAR 17

    Xander Bullock – Paul Van Riper, and War Games

    Xander Bullock is a USMA grad who spent a long and successful career fighting wars in foreign places. Xander penned a recent article discussing a famous war game. In the scenario, retired USMC 3-Star General Van Riper played the opposing force. His team, a "thinly veiled Iran" failed to cooperate with the overwhelming force. Read Xander Bullock's piece on Van Riper at dailywire.com/news/america-lost-an-infamous-wargame-to-iran-thats-why-were-winning-now Van Riper's oppo forces played the game small and out of scope. His approach was so successful the game had to be halted. Van Riper was cheating, they cried...yet Van Riper's plan was legitimate. It began a change in how we see modern combat. Pete A Turner welcome Xander Bullock to the Break It Down Show.

    1h 12m

  8. MAR 15

    Mitch Ferguson - Shipping Insurance, Trump and the Economics of War

    Retired federal economist Mitch Ferguson returns to the Break It Down Show with Pete A Turner. Mitch's experience working in the federal sphere provides experience and insight on the influence of money on foreign policy decisions.

    24 min
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4.7
out of 5
96 Ratings

About

Pete A Turner explores great conversations across a vast array of topics and personalities. The Break It Down Show is over 10 years old and has published over 2000 episodes. Find Pete at @peteaturner on most social media sites.

Information

  • Creator
    Pete A Turner
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2026
  • Episodes
    299
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Break It Down Show

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