Liberty Risk

If Part 1 was Navajo roots, SEAL Team life, cryptids, and Brian trying to make sense of God and the unseen… Part 2 is where the mission shifts inward. After leaving the Navy, Brian finds himself standing at the edge of an entirely different world, one that has nothing to do with war zones or deployments, and everything to do with rebuilding a life from the ground up. What starts as a random trip to New York turns into a life-altering pivot, when he realizes the next chapter might not be combat at all… it might be purpose. Brian goes from growing up on the reservation to walking into Columbia University, learning in real time that reinvention doesn't require permission, it just requires a willingness to step into the unknown, and do the work. We talk about the hard transition after service, the quiet discipline of starting over, and how acting became a form of healing… not as an escape, but as a way of reconnecting with emotion, identity, and meaning. From working on Transformers to getting personal advice from Michael Bay that changed his trajectory, Brian's story becomes a reminder that sometimes the most important transformations happen after the uniform comes off. That road eventually leads to LAMDA, one of the most elite classical acting programs in the world, where Brian finds a new brotherhood, a new craft, and a new way to serve through storytelling. This episode is funny, thoughtful, and completely unlike anything else… a SEAL turned Shakespearean actor learning how to live a full life in the second act. Part 2 is here.   We split this 4 hour episode into 2 parts because the conversations in each half were SO different. Part 1 of Brian's episode was released last Friday.   🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Our Patreon page is now LIVE! 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Here you can get exclusive access to the behind the scenes action, the hidden conversations between breaks, a private community chat, and LOTS more, including discounts on Liberty Risk merch as well as some of our partner brands. Come check it out and join the conversation! https://www.patreon.com/LibertyRisk    Get to know Brian more at the links below! ✖️ Brian's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/therealbwprice  ✖️ Brian's IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9067705  Liberty Risk Hosts: ✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326 ✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent ✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts   Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by: ✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all ✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com ✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com ✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com ✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc 

This episode of Liberty Risk goes somewhere we've never been before. We sit down with Brian Price, a Native American Indian & former Navy SEAL turned award-winning Shakespearean actor, for a conversation that moves from reservations to war zones, from BUD/S to the supernatural, and from elite military service straight into questions about God, reality, and what exists just beyond what we can see. Brian grew up on a Navajo reservation in Arizona, raised in a deeply spiritual, matriarchal culture shaped by medicine men, ancient traditions, and witnessing firsthand stories most people only hear whispered about. That upbringing followed him into adulthood and, eventually, into the SEAL Teams. After graduating BUD/S and deploying to Afghanistan, Brian found himself navigating not just combat, but encounters he believes crossed into the paranormal - from unexplained figures & giants in the mountains to rituals and carved symbols that he recognized from his childhood. After leaving the teams, things got darker. Brian opens up about depression, spiritual experimentation, and a terrifying period marked by sleep paralysis, physical attacks, and what he describes as direct encounters with demonic entities. What followed was a complete reckoning. He began a decade-long search for answers, studying world religions, philosophy, and science, eventually landing on a belief system shaped by faith, experience, and a brutal process of elimination. We talk cryptids, skinwalkers, giants, spiritual warfare, the limits of human perception, and the idea that reality itself may be far stranger than we're taught. But at its core, this episode is about identity, purpose, and what happens when someone who's lived in multiple worlds finally tries to make sense of all of them. It's raw, unsettling at times, deeply personal, and unlike anything else we've released. Whether you agree with Brian or not, this is one of those conversations that sticks with you long after the microphones are turned off.   We split this 4 hour episode into 2 parts because the conversations in each half were SO different. We'll be realeasing Part 2 of Brian's sit down with us next Friday as Episode 45.   🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Our Patreon page is now LIVE! 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Here you can get exclusive access to the behind the scenes action, the hidden conversations between breaks, a private community chat, and LOTS more, including discounts on Liberty Risk merch as well as some of our partner brands. Come check it out and join the conversation! https://www.patreon.com/LibertyRisk    Get to know Brian more at the links below! ✖️ Brian's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/therealbwprice  ✖️ Brian's IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9067705  Liberty Risk Hosts: ✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326 ✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent ✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts   Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by: ✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all ✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com ✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com ✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com ✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc 

This episode is a deep, unfiltered sit-down with Kevin Macon, a recently retired San Diego Police Department sergeant with nearly 31 years on the job, 19 of them spent working gang units, and a lifetime of stories earned the hard way. Kevin takes us from a Midwest childhood in Michigan to making a reluctant family move to San Diego, where football became his lane. From Patrick Henry High School to San Diego State, he shares what it was like playing center alongside legends like Marshall Faulk, lining up against the real "U" Miami teams, and walking onto the Rose Bowl field for the first time knowing your life just changed. The brotherhood of the locker room, the reality check of seeing & competing with NFL Athletes up close, and coming to terms with the knowledge he wasnt going to go all the way in football. From there, Kevin transitions into policing San Diego, starting in his own neighborhood and eventually spending nearly two decades in gang units. He breaks down what that job actually looks like. Mutual respect with killers, 120 mph pursuits, park shootings with dozens of officers present, surgery rooms where bullets are recovered, and the constant balance between enforcement and coming home alive. It's candid, blunt, and stripped of Hollywood nonsense. The conversation also hits the culture shift after George Floyd, the toll it took on officers and families, and what it means to work a job where you're meeting people on the worst day of their lives. Kevin shares lessons on communication, restraint, and why professionalism kept him complaint-free in some of the most volatile environments imaginable. The crew also compares the many parellels between high stakes police work and the stress of combat deployments and relentless pressue in both professions. Between the heavy moments are classic Liberty Risk stories. Baker to Vegas chaos, being mistaken for Warren Sapp in Cabo, undercover mishaps, Midwest tailgates that restore your faith in people, and the humor that keeps you sane when things get dark. Now retired, Kevin opens up about identity after the badge, learning how to slow down, focusing on family, and what brotherhood really means when the uniform comes off. From football fields to gang units to retirement, this episode is about respect, purpose, and building a life you're proud to walk away from. Raw, hilarious, and grounded in lived experience - this is Liberty Risk at its best.   🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Our Patreon page is now LIVE! 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Here you can get exclusive access to the behind the scenes action, the hidden conversations between breaks, a private community chat, and LOTS more, including discounts on Liberty Risk merch as well as some of our partner brands. Come check it out and join the conversation! https://www.patreon.com/LibertyRisk    Macon is currently enjoying the slower pace of retired life and doesn't have social media, or a website, although we're working on getting him to come hang out for the monthly cigar nights on our Patreon channel 🤞🏼🤞🏼 Liberty Risk Hosts: ✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326 ✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent ✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts   Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by: ✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all ✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com ✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com ✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com ✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc 

This week on Liberty Risk, we sit down with Jonathan Wayne Freeman for one of the most raw, hilarious, and unexpectedly heavy conversations we've ever recorded. What starts as jokes and side quests quickly turns into a no-shit, no-filter breakdown of a life built on big swings, spectacular failures, and a late-stage redemption nobody saw coming. Jonathan opens up about stories he's buried for over 25 years - from washing out of Navy boot camp after a steroid-induced psychotic break, to flaming out of law enforcement and firefighting careers, to spiraling through mental health crashes that nearly ended everything. He talks honestly about ego, shame, psych wards, and the pressure of trying to be "the guy" before he knew who he actually was. But this isn't a sob story. It's a comeback arc. Jonathan walks us through becoming a paramedic, hitting absolute rock bottom as a night janitor, and then accidentally finding his lane through comedy and social media. From running viral pages like Kook of the Day to working with brands like Bug-A-Salt and Pit Viper, he explains how being unapologetically himself finally unlocked everything he'd been chasing his whole life. Along the way, the stories are insane - psychotic breaks, humiliating street fights, paramedic calls you can't unhear, getting "banished" from Kauai, and the most aggressively wrong understanding of oral sex we've ever heard. Somehow it's laugh-out-loud funny and deeply human at the same time. At its core, this episode is about failure, redemption, timing, mental health, marriage, and why life sometimes doesn't make sense until way later than you planned. Jonathan's proof that trying, failing, and surviving still counts - and that your best chapter might not show up until you're 40. This is Liberty Risk at its most honest. If you've ever felt behind, broken, or like you missed your shot, this one's for you. 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Our Patreon page is now LIVE! 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Here you can get exclusive access to the behind the scenes action, the hidden conversations between breaks, a private community chat, and LOTS more, including discounts on Liberty Risk merch as well as some of our partner brands. Come check it out and join the conversation! https://www.patreon.com/LibertyRisk    Get to know John on Instagram! ✖️ John's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jonathanwaynefreeman Liberty Risk Hosts: ✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326 ✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent ✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts   Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by: ✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all ✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com ✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com ✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com ✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc 

This week on Liberty Risk, the crew sits down with Nik Hawks - former Navy SEAL, sailor, entrepreneur, and adventure connoisseur - for an absolutely WILD episode with story after story for almost 5 hours. From bouncing between the U.S. and England as a kid, to questionable high school decisions, to chasing the idea of becoming a SEAL thanks to a larger-than-life uncle, Nik's path was anything but conventional. He breaks down the realities of BUD/S, platoon life, hilarious bar fights, practical jokes, and the kind of lessons you only learn the hard way inside the Teams. And when the uniform came off, the adventures just became wilder. Nik walks us though his story of buying a small 22' sailboat and heading out solo from the West Coast, down through the Panama Canal, and across open ocean toward Florida, picking up hitchhiking deck hands along the way. No plan. No permenent crew. And sometimes no clothes. Just chaos, danger, and freedom in its purest form. The conversation dives into life after the military - the lessons lerned from failed businesses, hard resets, humility, and eventually finding success and building Paleo Treats and other unique ventures alongside his wife, Lee.  Packed with wild side quests, near-disasters, legendary pranks, and moments of real reflection, this episode is classic Liberty Risk - raw, funny, and honest. If you're into SEAL stories, adventure, entrepreneurship, or just hearing how someone survives doing everything the hard way (and sometimes naked), this one's mandatory listening.   🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Our Patreon page is now LIVE! 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Here you can get exclusive access to the behind the scenes action, the hidden conversations between breaks, a private community chat, and LOTS more, including discounts on Liberty Risk merch as well as some of our partner brands. Come check it out and join the conversation! https://www.patreon.com/LibertyRisk    Get to know Nik and Paleo Treats at the following links: ✖️ Nik's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nikhawks  ✖️ Paleo Treats Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/paleotreats  ✖️ Paleo Treats website - https://www.paleotreats.com  Liberty Risk Hosts: ✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326 ✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent ✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts   Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by: ✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all ✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com ✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com ✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com ✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc 

This week on Liberty Risk, the crew sits down with long time friend and fellow entrepreneur, Peter Lemke for a wide-open conversation about business, relationships, risk, and learning things the hard way.  Peter walks through his path from Arizona to Southern California, launching a limo bus business that came with equal parts cash flow and complete insanity - one employee even stole a party bus and some cash, they found the bus 24 hours later with the employee and a h00ker in the back. 😂 Between the party-bus chaos, unreliable employees, legal landmines, and the moment Uber and Lyft flipped the entire industry upside down, it was one helluva ride. The lesson is clear: trust your gut, adapt fast, and understand that managing people is usually harder than the business itself. From there, the conversation moves into Peter's later ventures, including marketing, the ups & downs of restaurant ownership, and his current focus, Dropkick Brew. He breaks down acquiring and rebranding a coffee company during the pandemic, navigating manufacturing and distribution headaches, and what it takes to land major partnerships with brands like Tito's and retailers like Costco. Along the way, the crew dives into bigger questions: shifting work ethic across generations, how technology and social media are reshaping business and communication, and why adversity still matters. They also get real about relationships, therapy, and the unique pressure of working with a spouse or close friends in something as stressful as a business. It's honest, funny, and unfiltered. If you've ever thought about starting a business, scaling one, or just want to hear how things actually go when the plan blows up, this episode delivers exactly what Liberty Risk is about: real stories, hard lessons, and plenty of laughs along the way.   🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Our Patreon page is now LIVE! 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Here you can get exclusive access to the behind the scenes action, the hidden conversations between breaks, a private community chat, and LOTS more, including discounts on Liberty Risk merch as well as some of our partner brands. Come check it out and join the conversation! https://www.patreon.com/LibertyRisk    Get to know Pete and DropKick Brew at the following links: ✖️ Pete's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/petelemke  ✖️ DropKick Brew Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dropkickbrew  ✖️ DropKick Brew website - https://dropkickbrew.com  Liberty Risk Hosts: ✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326 ✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent ✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts   Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by: ✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all ✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com ✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com ✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com ✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc 

This week on Liberty Risk, the crew sits down for what may be the biggest and most meaningful episode we've ever recorded - a roundtable with six guests bound by military service, Texas roots, and a deep commitment to showing up when it matters most. The episode kicks off the only way Liberty Risk knows how: inside jokes, supporter gifts, custom knives, and the kind of ritualized chaos that comes from real friendships. But it doesn't take long before the conversation turns heavier. The group shares stories of brotherhood, loss, and remembrance, including a deeply personal account of honoring a fallen teammate in a way that blends humor, grief, and respect - the kind of goodbye only people who've lived it can understand. RIP Kyle Paulson. As each guest introduces themselves, we hear backgrounds spanning Navy SEAL teams, business, and grassroots community organizations like 300 Justice Road - a foundation that started as a backyard barbecue crew and evolved into a force for good, raising money for scholarships and supporting military families across Texas. A major portion of the episode centers on the response to the catastrophic flash floods in Hunt, Texas. The guests walk through the chaos of the early hours, the rapid mobilization of SEALs, volunteers, and first responders, and the emotional toll of search and recovery. From cadaver dogs and sonar to coordination challenges with local authorities, the stories reveal both the difficulty and the necessity of organized, skilled response - and the uniquely Texas spirit that brought civilians, law enforcement, and veterans together when things were at their worst. Woven throughout are stories of culture and camaraderie - legendary bars, old-school rituals, and the bonds that tie military and first responder communities together. The conversation also highlights mentorship and giving back, with the guests sharing how they train and support underfunded law enforcement agencies, passing on tactical and medical knowledge to help prepare for real-world threats. At its core, this episode is about purpose. The group speaks candidly about life after service, the ongoing crisis of veteran and first responder suicide, and the importance of community as a lifeline. The message is clear: you don't need a uniform to serve. Everyone has something to contribute - skills, time, resources, or simply showing up. The episode closes with a simple call to action: check on your friends, find your people, and get involved. Because service doesn't end when the job does - and the strongest communities are built by those willing to step forward when it counts. This is Liberty Risk at its most honest - heavy, hopeful, and rooted in the belief that purpose is found in standing shoulder to shoulder when things fall apart.   🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Our Patreon page is now LIVE! 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Here you can get exclusive access to the behind the scenes action, the hidden conversations between breaks, a private community chat, and LOTS more, including discounts on Liberty Risk merch as well as some of our partner brands. Come check it out and join the conversation! https://www.patreon.com/LibertyRisk    Get to know Greg, Brian, Mike, and the 300 Justice Road Mission at the following links: ✖️ Greg Froelick's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/odin_mulder_froelick  ✖️ Brian Mannion Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bmanni0n  ✖️ Colin Shelton Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/csato9  ✖️ 300 Justice Road website - https://300justiceroad.com  Liberty Risk Hosts: ✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326 ✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent ✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts   Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by: ✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all ✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com ✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com ✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com ✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc 

This week on Liberty Risk, we sit down with Mike Mihalski - founder of Sons of Liberty 🔫 Works, underground-casino alumnus, walking Texas legend, and the only man we know who partied so hard he changed state law. 🤘🏼🤠🤘🏼 Mike & Ryan have a long history, from meeting in an internet chat room 20+ years ago because of a mutual love of talking shit, to being ghost roommates, to being the best man at Ryan's wedding - what follows is a fast-moving, unfiltered conversation about entrepreneurship, culture, luck, faith, chaos, and the strange places life takes you when you keep saying yes to opportunity. Mike breaks down his insane Vegas gambling runs, including the time he flew home with a million dollars CASH in a backpack. We also dive into the story of the night he got arrested in a hotel lobby with no pants and a suppressed, full auto 🔫 - an incident so ridiculous it sparked a revision to Texas state law (because Mike was in the RIGHT). The crew also discusses Mike's underground-casino days working as a bookie, and the bizarre "birthday astrology book" incident at a strip club that could only be believed in person (good thing we have witnesses!). The conversation goes deeper too: the realities of building a company from scratch into winning one of the most prestigious military contracts in the world, the weight of responsibility, the shifting landscape of American culture, and trying to make sense of a world that sometimes feels like it's glitching - including a crazy night in Austin that left everyone questioning reality. 👻 It's candid, it's sharp, it's wildly funny, and it's packed with the kind of hard-earned wisdom you only get from someone who's lived multiple lifetimes before lunch. If you're here for big stories, big ideas, and a brutally honest look at the American experience, this is one of our best yet.   🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Our Patreon page is now LIVE! 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Here you can get exclusive access to the behind the scenes action, the hidden conversations between breaks, a private community chat, and LOTS more, including discounts on Liberty Risk merch as well as some of our partner brands. Come check it out and join the conversation! https://www.patreon.com/LibertyRisk    Get to know Mike and SOLGW at the following links: ✖️ Mike's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikemihalski  ✖️ SOLGW Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sonsoflibertygw  ✖️ SOLGW website - https://sonsoflibertygw.com  Liberty Risk Hosts: ✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326 ✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent ✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts   Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by: ✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all ✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com ✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com ✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com ✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc 

This week on Liberty Risk, it's just the crew - no guests, no filters, and nothing off-limits. The guys sit down for a full-send, behind-the-scenes session that feels more like a late-night team room hang than a podcast. From the chaos inside the Patreon chat to the origins of the infamous "bat signal" 🍆🪽🔦 meme, the episode kicks off with pure Liberty Risk energy. The conversation rolls into what the veteran community looks like today: the good, the bad, the hilarious, and the downright weird. The hosts swap funny military stories, wild nights in Mexico, near disasters, and the kind of screwups that you can only joke about years later. They dive into leadership, legacy, and what's changed - and hasn't - in the brotherhood since their time in uniform. Listeners also get answers to Patreon questions about some of the best/worst liberty risk moments, work-life balance, and the meanings behind certain questionable tattoos. And because it's Liberty Risk, things inevitably go off the rails into Bigfoot sightings, UFO encounters, and unexplained military weirdness that nobody can explain but everyone remembers. It's unfiltered, honest, and always entertaining - the kind of episode that reminds you why the community around this show feels like a family. The crew closes out with gratitude for the listeners, a call to reconnect with old friends, and one more toast to the wild ride ahead.   🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Our Patreon page is now LIVE! 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Exclusive access to the behind the scenes action, the hidden conversations between breaks, a private community chat, and LOTS more. Come check it out and join the conversation! https://www.patreon.com/LibertyRisk Liberty Risk Hosts: ✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326 ✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent ✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts   Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by: ✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all ✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com ✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com ✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com ✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc    Some fun stories you might like from this episode! 00:00 - The Infamous "🍆🪽 Signal" and Patreon Chat Antics 03:13 - The Evolution of the Veteran Community & Podcasting Journey 04:14 - Vet TV, Donny O'Malley, and the Changing Face of Military Humor 10:31 - The Frogman Toast & Team Guy Traditions 13:25 - Fan Encounters & The Power of Community 15:23 - Why an Episode Was Pulled: Military Career Risks 24:06 - The Wild San Felipe, Mexico Adventure 55:46 - The Most Expensive "Liberty Risk" Event & Thailand Drug Scandal 57:30 - The Captain's Mast, Mistaken Identity, and Military Justice 2:32:08 - Bigfoot in Fort Lewis: The Night Watch Encounter 2:55:34 - UFOs, The Tic-Tac Incident, and Alien Theories 3:18:00 - A Shootout with Aliens in Tunnels Under Area 51 

In this episode, the Liberty Risk crew sits down with Ernest Emerson, the legendary founder of Emerson Knives, for a fascinating and wide-ranging conversation about his life, career, and the evolution of the knife industry over the years. Ernest shares how his upbringing on a Wisconsin farm and his passion for martial arts led him to create his first knives out of necessity, eventually launching a career that would help define the tactical knife genre. Ernest discusses his transition from working as a machinist at Hughes Aircraft to becoming a full-time knife maker, and how mentorship from industry icons and feedback from elite military units - especially the Navy SEALs - shaped his approach to design and innovation. He explains the origins of the iconic CQC-7 and the patented "Wave" feature, and reflects on the explosion of tactical knives in the 1990s and beyond. The episode delves into the close relationship between Emerson Knives and the special operations community, the challenges of maintaining American manufacturing in the face of overseas competition, and the importance of integrity and legacy in a family business. Ernest is joined by his son Lucas, who shares his perspective as a new generation designer and talks about the company's expansion into kitchen knives and new manufacturing ventures. The conversation is unflinchingly honest about the pressures facing American knife makers, the influx of high-quality but "soulless" imports from China, and the importance of supporting domestic craftsmanship. Packed with technical insights, industry history, and candid stories - from working with rock stars to testifying as an expert witness - this episode offers a rare look at the philosophy, values, and enduring impact of one of the most influential figures in the knife world.   🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Our Patreon page is now LIVE! 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Here you can get exclusive access to the behind the scenes action, the hidden conversations between breaks, a private community chat, and LOTS more, including discounts on Liberty Risk merch as well as some of our partner brands. Come check it out and join the conversation! https://www.patreon.com/LibertyRisk    Get to know Ernest & his son Lucas more at the following links: Ernest Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/realernestemerson  Lucas Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/emerson_archetype  Emerson Knife Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/emersonknivesinc  Emerson Knife website - https://www.emersonknives.com  Liberty Risk Hosts: ✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326 ✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent ✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts   Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by: ✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all ✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com ✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com ✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com ✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc 

In this episode of Liberty Risk, we sit down with a man who's lived multiple lives in one - Vietnam Veteran, Navy Seabee, cowboy, and one of Hollywood's original stunt legends: Jim Wilkey. If you've ever watched a truck flip end-over-end in The Dark Knight, seen Stallone crash through cars in Cobra, or watched Clint Eastwood & Charlie Sheen race through The Rookie, there's a good chance Jim Wilke was behind the wheel - or flying through the windshield. We kick off with the whole Liberty Risk crew finally back together in the studio, and the energy is full send from the start. Jim takes us back to the beginning - growing up as a cowboy kid in Northern California, hauling hay, riding rodeo, and unknowingly training for a future he didn't even know existed. When Vietnam ramped up, he joined the Navy Seabees and found himself operating bulldozers in the jungle, building runways while taking fire, and navigating a war where half the people hated you and the other half pretended not to notice. Jim shares raw stories from the Vietnam years - what it was like to return home from a war nobody wanted to talk about, go from hauling ammo to hauling stunt pads, and slowly carve out a name in a Hollywood world that didn't hand out second chances. He landed his first stunt jobs simply because he could ride, fall, crash, and get back up without complaining - and from there, his career became a highlight reel of chaos where he became known for daring stunts in movies like "Cobra" with Sylvester Stallone, "The Rookie," and "Transformers", especially one incredible scene where he flipped a semi-truck end over end across a Chicago street for "The Dark Knight". He explains the stunt world's golden rule: if you did it right, nobody thought it was real - and if you did it wrong, everyone thought you died. But the best stories aren't just about carnage - they're about the people. Jim talks about the old-school stunt crews who treated each other like family, the quiet pride of knowing your work helped define Hollywood's biggest films, and the moments that made it all worth it. Between the chaos, we hit real conversations - aging, fatherhood, injuries, legacy, and knowing when to pass the torch. Jim talks about transitioning from full-throttle risk to teaching, mentoring, and preserving the old-school stunt craft before CGI makes it vanish completely. He and Kevin reflect on the weird emotional whiplash that comes from being fearless on set - but tearing up during Pixar movies with your kids. This episode is pure Liberty Risk - equal parts history, humor, grit, gasoline, and real human insight. Whether you're into filmmaking, military life, story craft, or just good old-fashioned "how the hell did you survive that?" - this one's got it. 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Our Patreon page is now LIVE! 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ Here you can get exclusive access to the behind the scenes action, the hidden conversations between breaks, a private community chat, and LOTS more, including discounts on Liberty Risk merch as well as some of our partner brands. Come check it out and join the conversation! https://www.patreon.com/LibertyRisk Liberty Risk Hosts: ✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326 ✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent ✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts   Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by: ✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all ✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com ✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com ✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com ✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc 

This week on Liberty Risk, we sit down with former SEAL BJ Welsh as he shares some WILD stories from 34 years of service - from operating with West Coast Teams to working narcotics cases for the DOJ, these are some adventures you won't want to miss! Chrome handguns, bar fights, meth chases, and the brotherhood that ties it all together… this one has everything. BJ tells the real story behind the legendary El Centro Incident - SEAL Platoons, a "borrowed" pistol, a pissed off local, a tussle through saloon doors, off-duty officers who forgot they were on duty, and half of Imperial County law enforcement piling in the next day. It's a modern Western with more drama than Blazing Saddles and a legend that's only grown over 20 years. From there, the stories only get more unhinged: The DUI that somehow made the admiral nostalgic The Ambien-and-airplane miscalculation that nearly ended in disaster Being "secured" to a Thailand hotel for going a little too hard on liberty 🍺 An ex fiancée who "did" more platoons than BJ and Kevin combined The gun incident that ended with a girlfriend arrested in BJ's house 🔫 BUD/S Instructor life and Team One's well deserved "No Fun One" reputation The old "surf & turf" uniforms that looked like you were "Porky Piggin' it" (shirt with no pants) 😂 The meth chase up the 5 freeway with water-soaked narcotics flying out the window Between the insanity, we also get to the real heart of BJ's story - a guy who served America for 34 years across multiple units, raised his kids, lost his father, built a second career in DOJ, and is now trying to age gracefully while still challenging himself and being dangerous when needed. The boys dive into: The evolution of masculinity (why being aggressive 24/7 isn't maturity) Why warriors suddenly cry at Moana and the unique perspective of being a "girl dad" Learning to decompress after decades of hyper-vigilance Finding something that sharpens your edge after service ⚔️ Domestic battles like dishwasher politics and the eternal toilet paper war Why how a person handles dog shit tells you everything you need to know about them 💩 BJ's honesty is unmatched. One minute he's sharing wild deployment stories, the next he's talking about breaking generational cycles or watching Golden Bachelor with his wife. This is a three-hour masterclass in military humor, life after the Teams, total honesty, and the kind of brotherhood that goes beyond uniforms. If you've ever wanted the actual story behind the El Centro incident, wondered what happens when SEALs discover a plane serves alcohol, or needed reassurance that crying during Disney movies is normal… this is your episode. Listen now - and if you see a taco'd license plate outside a bar in El Centro, just keep driving. Trust us on this one.   Find out more about BJ and his adventures at the following links: ✖️ Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bj_welsh    Liberty Risk Hosts: ✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326 ✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent ✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts   Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by: ✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all ✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com ✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com ✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com ✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc 

In this gripping and wide-ranging episode, the Liberty Risk crew sits down with two fascinating guests: Ed Calderon and Eddie Dennis, each bringing a unique perspective shaped by extraordinary life experiences on both sides of the US-Mexico border. Ed Calderon is a well known former Mexican law enforcement officer (3 x guest on the Joe Rogan show) who spent over a decade working in some of the most dangerous and complex environments in Mexico. Growing up in Tijuana, Ed witnessed firsthand the transformation of his hometown from a party city to a battleground for cartels and organized crime. He joined an experimental paramilitary police force at a young age, where his career spanned operational work, investigations, and close protection for high-profile figures, including legendary military officers. After 12 years, political shifts and personal risk led him to immigrate to the US, where he now shares his hard-won knowledge through training, consulting, and public speaking.  Eddie Dennis is an entrepreneur, small business owner, and the founder of Tactical Outfitters. With a background in retail, EMS, and firefighting, Eddie's journey took a turn when he became a single father and began exploring the world of tactical gear and firearms. Some of the highlights from the episode: Ed's harrowing experiences in Mexican law enforcement, including undercover work, cartel confrontations, and the challenges of operating in a culture of corruption. Candid discussions about the realities of life on the border, the complexities of Mexican and American cultures interplaying, and the impact of politics, crime, and social change on both sides of the border. Practical advice for staying safe in Mexico, understnding and navigating corruption, and the nuances of travel and security south of the border. Entertaining and outrageous stories, from the infamous and elusive "donkey shows" of TJ to midget bullfighting, the surprising world wide reach of cartel monkey patches, and the wild life behind the scenes of Mexican wrestling, we dive into it all. Reflections on trauma, mental health, and the value of community, adaptability, but maybe most importantly, the ability to maintain humor in the face of adversity. Whether you're interested in security, travel, culture, or just love a good story to pass a long journey, this episode offers a rare, unfiltered look at the lives of two men who have seen - and survived - it all. Tune in for an unforgettable conversation packed with insight, humor, and hard-earned wisdom.   Find out more about Ed & Eddie at the following links: ✖️ Ed Calderon Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/manifestoradiopodcast  ✖️ Ed Calderon website - https://www.edsmanifesto.com  ✖️ Eddie Dennis Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thesalesmansmanifesto  ✖️ Eddie Dennis website - https://tacticaloutfitters.net    Liberty Risk Hosts:  ✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326 ✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent ✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts   Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by: ✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all ✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com ✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com ✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com ✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc 

In this episode, two-time Muay Thai world champion and Glory Kickboxing champ Mike LeMaire joins the Liberty Risk crew for a no holds barred conversation about fighting, family, and the kind of chaos that shapes a man. The episode kicks off with travel disasters - including Mike attempting to bring a .357 Magnum from France to the U.S. and the meltdown that followed at customs (when they messed up their own protocols, lol). Then we dive into his story of growing up French-American, moving to the States at 19, and learning what it means to fight for everything while bouncing between 2 worlds. From strict parents and cultural clashes to finding his place in the ring, Mike shares how discipline, stubbornness, and a little bit of madness built a world champion mindset. He opens up about life behind the belts: working day jobs to make ends meet, the business politics of combat sports, and what it actually costs to chase a dream that doesn't pay until you're world-class (and even then, only if you fight for your worth). Mike takes us behind the scenes of the combat sports world - from his first professional bout in Cancun (plus a wild post-fight "side quest" 🍑😳 - somtimes you can still win when you "lose") to fighting three times in a one night tournament for a high stakes Glory Kickboxing contract. Expect real candid talk of money struggles, bad managers, injuries, and the business hustle that most fighters never see, and how he transcended that and built upon it. But this episode isn't just about the headline & title fight stuggles, it's about what comes after. Mike and the Liberty Risk crew dig into the parallels between fighters and veterans - a shared bond of brotherhood, discipline, sacrifice, and what happens when the crowd goes quiet and the mission is over. There's humor, heartbreak, and hard-earned wisdom in equal measure. They trade stories about family, relationships, and the fight to stay grounded outside the ring. It's honest, hilarious, and sometimes a little heavy, just like real life. Packed with grit, humor, and the kind of perspective that only comes from getting hit - and getting back up again - this episode is one of our most personal yet. If you're here for that fighter mindset, mission specific focus, and special-operations-style resilience, or just raw conversations about what it takes to keep going, this is Liberty Risk at its best.   Find out more about Mike and his ventures at the following links: ✖️ Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikelemaire  ✖️ Mike LeMaire website - https://www.fitnessmikelemaire.com    Liberty Risk Hosts:  ✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326 ✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent ✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts   Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by: ✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all ✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com ✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com ✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com ✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc 

Kaj Larsen has lived many lives in one - Navy SEAL, war correspondent, Hollywood stuntman, Emmy-winning journalist, and entrepreneur - and he's just getting started.  In this episode, Kaj joins the Liberty Risk crew for a no-filter conversation about brotherhood, chaos, and carving out new paths after the Teams. From growing up in Santa Cruz to the transformation of the SEALs after 9/11, Kaj shares what it was like to serve through a defining era of modern warfare - and how that same mindset helped him break into Hollywood, reporting on the frontlines, and the business world. You'll hear wild stories from deployments, late partying nights in Budapest and Ukraine, and yacht adventures that went sideways - mixed with sharp insight on leadership, loss, and the grind of building something real after service. Kaj also dives into his mission to close the wealth gap for veterans through financial literacy and entrepreneurship, showing how warriors can win long after the battlefield. Packed with grit, humor, and perspective, this episode is a masterclass in reinvention. Whether you're chasing your next mission or just need proof that there's life - and laughter - beyond the chaos, this one's for you. 👉 Thank you for being a part of the Liberty Risk community! If you enjoyed the show please leave us a review on whatever platform you're listening on, and consider supporting the show by buying some Liberty Risk merch at www.Liberty-Risk.com!   Find out more about Kaj and his adventures at the following links: ✖️ Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kajlarsen  ✖️ Tactical Wealth Podcast IG - https://www.instagram.com/tacticalwealthpodcast    Liberty Risk Hosts:  ✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326 ✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent ✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts   Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by: ✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all ✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com ✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com ✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com ✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc 

Xander's story is one built from struggle, service, and second chances. A former Air Force Pararecue Operator turned entrepreneur, he's the founder of the brand Saints by Day, Sinners by Construct - leading a movement to bring suicide prevention and mental health awareness to the veteran and first responder communities. In this episode we get deep into why and how that came about. From a rough upbringing in San Francisco and Stockton fighting people and addiction to finding brotherhood as an Air Force Pararescueman, Xander opens up about the highs, lows, and absolute insanity of life before, during, and after special operations. There's no sugarcoating here: deployments, trauma, substance abuse, and the aftermath of losing teammates, friends, and family. Xander and the crew talk openly about suicide in the veteran community - the chain reaction it causes, the guilt that lingers, and how his brand was born from loss. The episode also explores the power of community, psychedelics, honesty, and especially humor in the fight to stay alive and stay human. Still, this isn't just heavy. It's filled with laughter, brotherhood, and hope. Xander shares lessons from building a mission-driven brand, the realities of entrepreneurship in the veteran space, and what it means to turn pain into purpose. If you've ever worn a uniform, loved someone who did, or just believe in real conversations that matter, this one's for you. It's equal parts war story, therapy session, and bar talk - classic Liberty Risk.    👉 Thank you for being a part of the Liberty Risk community! If you enjoyed the show please leave us a review on whatever audio platform you're listening on, and like, comment, and subscribe on YouTube to keep these stories alive.   Find out more about Xander and his adventures at the following links: ✖️ Brand & Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_sdsc_official  ✖️ SDSC Brand Website - https://saintsbydaysinnersbyconstruct.com    Liberty Risk Hosts:  ✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326 ✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent ✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts   Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by: ✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all ✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com ✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com ✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com ✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc 

Nick Esayian has lived a dozen lives - pro racer, entrepreneur, law enforcement officer, search and rescue - but the thread that runs through all of it is loyalty to a brotherhood. From growing up tough in the Midwest to finding his place alongside legendary racers, athletes, Navy SEALs and special operations veterans, Nick's story is one of grit, reinvention, and always showing up for the people who matter. He takes us inside the chaos: hustling through the corporate grind, breaking free into racing and entrepreneurship, and the colorful characters, wild parties, and hard lessons along the way. From donating race winnings to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation to working shoulder-to-shoulder with operators in high-stakes REAL WORLD environments, Nick's connection to the special operations community has shaped his life on and off the track. But this episode doesn't shy away from the hard stuff. Nick opens up about the struggles of transition - from marriages and businesses lost, to chasing financial success that doesn't always deliver whole hearted happiness, and the importance of staying true to your vision through it all. He talks candidly about identity, purpose, mental health, and the brutal necessity of starting over when life hits back harder than you expect. His perspective is shaped by years spent working and partying with military and special operations communities (including 2 of the hosts), witnessing firsthand the weight they carry, the commaradierie they share, and the resilience it takes to move forward. It's raw, it's funny, and it's packed with the honesty, grit, and dark-humor perspective that you've come to expect from Liberty Risk. Whether you're here for stories of racing, business, brotherhood, or just surviving your own chaos and want to share a laugh, this conversation delivers.   Find out more about Nick Esayian and his adventures at the following links: ✖️ Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/esayian  ✖️ Light Helmets Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lighthelmets  ✖️ Light Helmets Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/lightimpactpodcast  ✖️ Light Helmets Website - https://lighthelmets.com    Liberty Risk Hosts:  ✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326 ✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent ✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts   Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by: ✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all ✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com ✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com ✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com ✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc 

  Derek Janisch - From the poppy fields of Afghanistan to pro paintball arenas, Muay Thai & temptation in Thailand, and finding redemption at home - a story of love, loss, finding yourself, and second chances.  Thanks for joining us for another episode of the Liberty Risk Podcast! Today we dive into Derek's life, and the lessons learned - his early days growing up in Orange County, his obsession with paintball and MMA, and the relentless drive that carried him through BUD/S and onto SEAL Team 7. He breaks down the reality of deployments to Afghanistan and Guam, the brotherhood and chaos of platoon life, and the lessons in leadership learned along the way. Derek also pulls no punches on the personal side - talking openly about relationships, divorce, and the battle to find purpose once the uniform comes off. One unforgettable chapter takes us to Thailand, where Derek trained Muay Thai with local fighters, lived in a small village, and got swept up in a whirlwind romance that tested his perspective on marriage, and reshaped his outlook on life. After the Teams, the chaos didn't stop. Derek launched a clothing brand, worked in California's notorious Emerald Triangle, where got shot in the chest while working on a local weed farm. He shares the violence of that world, the awakening that followed, and the long, messy road to healing while working as an ocean guide & underwater photographer in Hawaii. Today, Derek has rebuilt his life in many ways, most importantly, as a husband and father. After years apart, he and his ex-wife found their way back to each other - rebuilding trust, family, and proving that second chances are real. Packed with humor, side quests, and unfiltered talk about entrepreneurship, community, and survival, this episode delivers the kind of Navy SEAL stories and unique veteran insight you've come to expect from your new favorite podcast - Liberty Risk  👉 Thank you for being a part of the Liberty Risk community! 👈  If you enjoyed the show please leave us a review on whatever audio platform you're listening on, and like, comment, and subscribe on YouTube to keep these stories alive! Also, we just started our Patreon account, it's FREE for now, check it out and we'll be adding a lot to it soon! https://www.patreon.com/cw/LibertyRisk    Find out more about Derek and his adventures at the following links: ✖️ Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/derekjanisch2020  ✖️ Clothing Brand Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justus_inc  ✖️ Clothing Brand Website - https://justuspaintball.com    Liberty Risk Hosts:  ✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326 ✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent ✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts   Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by: ✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all ✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com ✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com ✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com ✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc 

Dan Corbett (AKA Dirty) has lived through some of the wildest life chapters anyone could think of and come out the other side stronger - his story is unlike anything you've ever heard. Navy SEAL, DevGroup Operator, mercenary, author, and somehow the only American to become a household name in Serbia without ever wanting to. From growing up in Northern California to finding his place in platoon life, Dan gives us the inside scoop on training for Green Team, deployments to combat zones, plus being a part of legendary tactical adventures like the Captain Phillips rescue. But the real chaos came after the Teams. While contracting overseas, Dan got rolled up in Serbia on trumped-up charges of plotting to a$$assinate their pre$ident and spent 18 months in a Serbian prison. What followed was a roller coaster of shifting legal pressure, bizarre cellmates, and headlines that turned him into Serbia's favorite anti-hero. Imagine you survive multiple high profile missions, combat deployments, and bar fights… then end up using all those skills to navigate sensitive Balkan prison politics for 18 months. With his trademark humor and grit, Dan breaks down the comedy and brutality of jailhouse life, how the mindset training he learned in the SEAL Teams kept him sane & sharp, and the moment he finally faced a judge to learn his fate after nearly a year in limbo. Along the way we cover bar fights, realities of the contracting world, and how to survive and keep your edge when life goes completely sideways. If you're looking for Navy SEAL stories, prevailing against impossible odds, and the kind of dark-humor banter you only get when someone's lived through hell and come out laughing, this episode is Liberty Risk at its rawest.   Here are a few highlights from the many crazy stories we dive into in this episode. • The real story behind the naked hot tub head kick. • Getting your face blasted it all over Serbian news, but at least they used a good pic. • It's ok to be ok, not every veteran is "broken" • "It's not that we're so good, it's just that everyone else sucks" 😂 • Being a Navy SEAL opens doors, but also paints you into a picture you may not fit in. • Checking into Team 5 & learning about the "minimum weight" of 200 lbs to be in Kevin's platoon. 💪🏼 • Speaking Tagalog & running sources at rooster fights in Philippines. • The intricacies of navigating Green Team politics. • The different squadrons at Dev and their unique character. • The benefits of going to a gay bar. 🏳️‍🌈 • Discussing the "real story" of the Captain Phillips op. • Story about Will Chesney's dog saving Dan's life. • Dan realizing he was a good Operator, but not a good Instructor, and how he fixed that. • The inside scoop on how he got arrested in Serbia and how it went down. • Dirty realizing he was actually kind of a hero within the counter culture groups in prison. • The many interesting criminal and character you meet in Serbian jail. • Roller coaster court drama and their officials being pressured by their government. • Finding common ground and connection with the foreign judge. • Beating the Serbian judicial system, getting helped by the Hells Angels, and going home just to find that the Team had revoked his Trident. • Being home and back contracting within a month. • Finding out Serbia wants him to go BACK to potentially stand trial AGAIN. • How he came to terms with writing a book, and the whole process from start to finish. • Current movie projects and what he's working on now. • The value of a great parter to help you build, and also keep you on your toes.    👉 Thank you for being a part of the Liberty Risk community! If you enjoyed the show please leave us a review on whatever audio platform you're listening on, and like, comment, and subscribe on YouTube to keep these stories alive.   Find out more about Dan and his adventures at the following links: ✖️ Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/american_mercenary  ✖️ Website - https://www.danieldavidcorbettiii.com    Liberty Risk Hosts:  ✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326 ✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent ✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts   Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by: ✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all ✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com ✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com ✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com ✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc 

Andrew "Bito" Arrabito has lived a life that defies categories - Adventurer, hunter, Navy SEAL, knife maker, entrepreneur, and always at the center of some of the best stories ever told.  In this unfiltered episode, Bito takes us behind the scenes into the gritty world of SEAL Team life: from performing CPR after a HUMVEE rollover on day one, to naked hot tub parties, street fights, and some of the most jaw-dropping deployments you'll ever hear. He shares the real story behind the infamous combat head kick, what happens when you throw Saddam's brother into barbed wire, and how (unsurprisingly) bar fights and stealing guns from cops can lead to questioning by the FBI. You'll hear about riding horses on ops in Afghanistan, accidentally kicking down the wrong hotel door, and getting promoted to E6 at a strip club. There's booze in canteens, canines on planes, stitches in the wrong places, and more bar fights - including several against Chuck Liddell's MMA crew in San Luis Obispo. But it's not just chaos. Bito opens up about finding purpose after service, building Half Face Blades from the ground up, creating custom knives for friends and legends like Anthony Bourdain, and why empathy and love are stronger than hate. From Hollywood film sets (Avatar, 13 Hours) to near-death freefall school mishaps, this episode is a wild ride through the highs, lows, and hard-earned lessons of a life lived on the edge. If you want Navy SEAL stories, veteran grit, entrepreneurial insight, and some of the craziest moments ever told on this show - this is Liberty Risk at its finest.   Here are a few of the story highlights we get into in this WILD episode: • Naked hot tub parties and street fights. • Riding horses on real ops - not as fun as you'd think. • Kevin giving a terrorist a "flat tire". • Tossing Saddam's brother in barbed wire for being a dick. • Dating and fighting porn stars (different stars). • Accidentally kicking the wrong door down at a hotel. • Getting frocked to E6 at a strip club. 🍑 • Bar fight with cops turns into an armed stand off, stole their guns, questioned by FBI. • Platoon fight against Chuck Liddell's MMA crew (again) in San Louis Obispo. • Stitching up the wrong wound. • Canteens filled with Jim Beam instead of water in the desert. • Second worst poop story ever told. 💩 • Getting into bar fights while wearing a dress and fishnet stockings. • Bito's dog Crow accidentally shits all over the plane. • Why empathy and love are stronger than hate. • Finding a bag of mushrooms on a C-17 and stealing the pilot's beer. • Behind the scenes on Hollywood blockbusters like Avatar, 13 Hours, and more. • How to get circumcised by a treadmill. 🍆😳 • Custom Liberty Risk Half Face Blades Knifes. 🗡️ • The custom knife Andy made for Anthony Bourdain. • Bito's ex girlfriend knocking out a robber during a 7-11 stick up. 👊🏼 • Almost dying in freefall school. • Creative ways to get out of going to billets you don't want to be at.   If you enjoyed the show please leave us a review on whatever audio platform you're listening on!    Find out more about Andy and his adventures at the following links: ✖️ Personal Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/specoperator  ✖️ Half Face Blades Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/halffaceblades ✖️ Half Face Blades Website - https://www.halffaceblades.com ✖️ We KBD Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/we_kbd ✖️ War Paw Wine - https://www.instagram.com/warpawwine ✖️ Canoe Club Ammo - https://www.instagram.com/canoeclubusa   Liberty Risk Hosts:  ✖️ Ryan Williams - https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326 ✖️ Kevin Kent - https://www.instagram.com/therealkevinkent ✖️ Nick Betts - https://www.instagram.com/n_betts   Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by: ✖️ Liberty Risk Merch - https://www.liberty-risk.com/collections/shop-all ✖️ Industry Threadworks - https://www.industrythreadworks.com ✖️ Archive 3PL - https://archive3pl.com ✖️ Krupto Strategic Media - https://kruptostrategicmedia.com ✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc