#346 James Lechner - Army Ranger Recounts the Battle of Mogadishu: Black Hawk Down

Lt. Col. James Lechner (Ret.) is a 27-year U.S. Army veteran and former Army Ranger whose deployments span Somalia, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. As a young Ranger officer, he fought with Task Force Ranger in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, where he was wounded in combat and awarded the Purple Heart. He later served as deputy brigade commander during the Battle of Ramadi and held assignments with SOCOM and the CIA. Most recently, Lechner traveled to Ukraine—first as a war correspondent and later training and advising Ukrainian forces, including service with the International Legion. Today, he works in the drone and counter-drone defense space, serves as an adjunct professor of American and Military History at Liberty University, and is the author of With My Shield. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Privacy Isn't Paranoia. It's Protection. Download Glacier - https://theglacierapp.com Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/SRS. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Trustpilot rating as of 8/1/2026. Go to https://calderalab.com/SRS and use code SRS for 20% off your first order. Make the switch to Sundays for Dogs and get 50% off your first order at https://sundaysfordogs.com/SRS50 or use code SRS50 at checkout. Get started with Claude at https://claude.ai/srs Visit https://betterhelp.com/srs #ad James Lechner Links: Book: With My Shield - https://a.co/d/06aHhXRe Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/James.lechner Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/james.lechner.2025 X - https://x.com/Lechner_jim Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wynonna Judd is a five-time Grammy Award-winning country artist who rose to fame alongside her mother, Naomi, as The Judds, one of the most successful duos in country music history. After The Judds ended their original run, Wynonna launched a major solo career while navigating family challenges, personal loss, and the death of her mother in 2022. Now, more than four decades into her career, she is entering a new chapter with her upcoming album, The Hard Truth, out now. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Privacy Isn't Paranoia. It's Protection. Download Glacier today - https://theglacierapp.com Buy American at https://SnakestaffSystems.com and now on Amazon. Tell your family and friends. Go to https://helixsleep.com/SRS for 20% off site wide and enter our show name after checkout so they know we sent you! Try ZipRecruiter for free at https://ziprecruiter.com/SRS to save time and meet great candidates sooner. Try Gusto today at https://gusto.com/SRS and get three months free when you run your first payroll. Wynonna Judd Links: Tour Dates - https://www.wynonna.com/tour Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wynonnajudd Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wynonnajudd X - https://x.com/Wynonna Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxtzJkaJAbvEX52EaLMKicw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dusty Slay is a stand-up comedian known for his Southern, working-class observational humor and is currently touring nationwide on his Neighborhood Guy Tour. Raised in a trailer park in Opelika, Alabama, he went from working regular jobs to appearances on The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Comedy Central, and Netflix. He is also a regular performer at the Grand Ole Opry and the author of We’re Having a Good Time: And Other Stories. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Privacy Isn't Paranoia. Its Protection. - https://theglacierapp.com For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off FOR LIFE, Free Shipping, AND 3 Free Gifts at Mars Men at https://Mengotomars.com Don’t sleep on [@ultrapouches]. New customers get 15% Off with code SRS at https://takeultra.com! #UltraPouches #ad Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @shop.mando and get 20% off with promo code SRS at https://shopmando.com! #mandopod Upgrade your eyewear at https://roka.com and use code SRS for 20% off sitewide at checkout. Dusty Slay Links: Purchase We're Having a Good Time: (And Other Stories...) Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1668087669?tag=simonsayscom Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/were-having-a-good-time-dusty-slay/1149525866?ean=9781668087664 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dustyslaycomedy Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dustyslay X - https://x.com/dustyslay TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@dustyslay Website - www.dustyslay.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jimmy Watson is a former Marine, Blackwater contractor, Navy SEAL, and former head of security, CEO, and close confidant to John McAfee. He joined McAfee’s inner circle in 2017 and experienced firsthand the legal turmoil, paranoia, and instability surrounding him. After leaving that world and battling addiction and personal loss, Watson returned to his Christian faith and now speaks about faith, purpose, and helping others out of destructive cycles. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Privacy Isn't Paranoia. It's Protection. Download Glacier - https://srs.site/glacierapp Ready to upgrade your life? Head to bubsnaturals.com/srs and use code SHAWN for 20% off Get $10 off your first order at https://ponchooutdoors.com/shawnryan when you enter your email. One thing to pack, five ways to power! Get 10% Off @Ridge with code SRS at https://www.Ridge.com/SRS #Ridgepod Jimmy Watson Links: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/MightyWarrior282 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@MightyWarrior282/videos Book - https://a.co/d/0jgr1NJP Mighty Warrior Performance - https://mightywarriorperformance.com Linktree - https://linktr.ee/Mightywarrior282 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mike Jones, also known as Garand Thumb, is a U.S. Air Force veteran, firearms instructor, and one of the most recognizable voices in the firearms and tactical community. Through his platform, he tests weapons and gear, breaks down tactics and training, and explores survival, preparedness, and what it takes to operate in extreme environments. Privacy Isn't Paranoia. It's Protection. Download Glacier - https://srs.site/glacierapp Website - https://theglacierapp.com Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Head to https://superpower.com/srs for $50 off your membership. Get 150+ biomarkers tested, a personalized health plan and on-demand care team. Detect early signs of 1,000+ conditions. #superpowerpod Get 50% off your first order of human-grade dog food at https://sundaysfordogs.com/SRS50 or use code SRS50 at checkout. Find your forever cookware @hexclad and get 10% off at https://hexclad.com/SRS! #hexcladpartner Free trial at https://shopify.com/srs Don’t sleep on [@ultrapouches]. New customers get 15% Off with code SRS at https://takeultra.com! #UltraPouches #ad Michael Jones Links: Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/c/garandthumb Instagram - instagram.com/garand_thumb Facebook - facebook.com/garandthumb1 X - https://x.com/GarandThumb1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shawn Ryan breaks down his complete everyday carry, from the gear, tools, technology, and sentimental items he’s carried throughout his career to the essentials he still relies on today. He also walks through the evolution of his concealed carry setup, from the Glock 17 and Glock 19 to the SIG P365 platform, before revealing his newest everyday carry firearm for the first time. Get Your Own Dolphin - https://srs.site/DOLPHIN-TEE Shawn Ryan's Essentials: CLOTHING/ACCESSORIES Hat - https://srs.site/SRS-HAT Glasses - https://www.cutlerandgross.com/us/ https://www.roka.com/collections/all-sunglasses Leather Belt - https://bianchileather.com White & Black Tees - https://robertbarakett.com Jacket - https://www.isaia.it Shoes - https://www.colehaan.com PRIVACY Glacier App - https://srs.site/glacierapp Nyan Box - https://nyandevices.com OMG Cable - https://shop.hak5.org/products/omg-cable FLASHLIGHT SureFire Stiletto - https://www.surefire.com/stiletto-pro-ii KNIVES Randall Knives - https://randallknives.com Toor Knives - https://toorknives.com/collections/toor-knives-x-haley-strategic-partners Crush Everything - https://crusheverything.com/product/razorback-g-10-blade/?srsltid=AU7gw4VVHUzZubngFDgIXvu7VRnyobtggsvCuyDfXsw9ISziUE6g14Qh WATCHES Rolex White Gold Submariner - https://www.rolex.com/en-us/watches/submariner/m126619lb-0003 Rolex Black GMT Master II - https://www.rolex.com/en-us/watches/gmt-master-ii/all-models?group=0 Breitling Emergency - https://www.breitling.com/us-en/watches/professional/emergency/E76325221B1S1/ SPIRITUAL Rosary - https://crusheverything.com/product/tactical-warrior-rosary/?srsltid=AfmBOopIdtQhP5nR1Ek0wJWTSthFHKRiuHuE_Ap9LLKYU-pio2EqxpOf Pocket Bible - https://theministryofdefence.com/products/bible Jesus Calling - https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-calling-large-print-deluxe-edition/ MEDICAL Tourniquets - https://www.snakestaffsystems.com SURVIVAL ResQLink - https://www.acrartex.com/products/resqlink-400 We cannot link to firearms or ammunition. Watch the entire video for details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Katarina Szulc is a Canadian investigative journalist based in Mexico, known for her on-the-ground reporting on cartel violence, organized crime, political corruption, and security issues. After beginning her career in traditional newsrooms with outlets including CBC and CityNews Vancouver, she shifted toward independent field reporting to get closer to the stories unfolding on the ground. Through her work and Borderland: Dispatches, Szulc reports from some of Mexico’s most volatile regions, tracking cartel leadership, evolving criminal tactics, and the growing intersection between organized crime, technology, and modern warfare. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Privacy Isn't Paranoia. It's Protection. Download Glacier - https://theglacierapp.com Get 31% off Buoy unflavored liquid electrolytes for any drink with code SRS at https://justaddbuoy.com Try 30 days risk free. Get 10% off at https://tecovas.com/SRS when you sign up for email and texts. See site for details. Sheath. The underwear of legends. Go to https://www.sheath.com/SRS and use code SRS for 20% off. Katarina Szulc Links: X - https://x.com/KatarinaSzulc Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/katarinaszulc Substack - https://katarinaszulc.substack.com YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@katarinaszulc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Byron Tau is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter at ProPublica and the author of "Means of Control." He spent five years tracing how the surveillance apparatus built after 9/11 came home and found Border Patrol monitoring millions of American drivers through hidden cameras and a secret algorithm. Shawn and Byron get into who built these tools, how buying data legally sidesteps the Fourth Amendment, and what it means when the machinery aimed at foreign targets gets turned around. Privacy Isn't Paranoia. It's Protection. Download Glacier - https://srs.site/glacierapp Website - https://theglacierapp.com Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Get firearm security redesigned and save 10% off @StopBoxUSA with code SRS at https://stopboxusa.com/SRS #stopboxpod Upgrade your eyewear at https://roka.com and use code SRS for 20% off sitewide at checkout. Try Gusto today at https://gusto.com/SRS and get three months free when you run your first payroll. For a limited time, save 20% on your first subscription order of AG1 Next Gen or AG1 Pro at https://drinkag1.com/srs Byron Tau Links: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/byrontau X - https://x.com/byrontau Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/byrontau.bsky.social Book - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/706321/means-of-control-by-byron-tau Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Christian Craighead is a former British SAS operator who served with the Parachute Regiment, Pathfinder Platoon, and 22 SAS during a career focused on counterterrorism and high-risk operations. In 2019, while in Kenya, he responded to the al-Shabaab attack at Nairobi’s DusitD2 complex, helping rescue civilians and engage the attackers, actions that later earned him the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. He is also the author of One Man In, where he recounts the attack. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Privacy Isn't Paranoia. It's Protection. Download Glacier - https://srs.site/glacierapp Sign up at DraftKings in all 50 states with code SRS, spend $5, and get $200 in rewards within 21 days Try ZipRecruiter to post your job FOR FREE at http://ziprecruiter.com/SRS 4 out of 5 employers who post on ZipRecruiter get a quality candidate within the first day. Visit https://betterhelp.com/srs #ad Go to https://helixsleep.com/SRS for 27% off sitewide Christian Craighead Links: One Man in - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1982177330 Meyli Chapin Links: Terrorist Attack Girl - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QNLDXWY Trauma Brace - https://www.traumabrace.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/meylichapin Website - https://meylichapin.wixsite.com/meyli-chapin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke is an American cardinal, canon lawyer, and one of the Catholic Church’s most prominent defenders of traditional doctrine and liturgy. He previously served as Archbishop of St. Louis and as Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, the Church’s highest judicial court, before being elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010. He is also the founder of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Privacy Isn't Paranoia. It's Protection. - https://theglacierapp.com Live better longer with BUBS Naturals. Get 20% OFF on collagen, MCT creamers, and more with code SHAWN at https://bubsnaturals.com/srs Go to https://moinkbox.com/SRS to get free chicken wings in every box for a year as long as you're a paying customer. Don’t sleep on [@ultrapouches]. New customers get 15% Off with code SRS at https://takeultra.com! #UltraPouches #ad Sign up at DraftKings in all 50 states with code SRS, spend $5, and get $200 in rewards within 21 days. Go to https://calderalab.com/SRS and use code SRS for 20% off your first order. Cardinal Burke Links: Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe Website - https://guadalupeshrine.org Five Years with Mary - https://sempervirgo.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices