I Came With Fire

The boys are joined by Simone Ledeen, who served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East at the U.S. Department of Defense, and Drew Berquist, who spent more than 20 years in national security, including work with the Central Intelligence Agency and Defense Intelligence Agency supporting intelligence and counterterrorism operations. Together they break down the rapidly evolving situation involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, analyzing military developments, intelligence signals, and the potential for regime instability inside Tehran. The discussion also explores how Iran fits into China’s broader geopolitical strategy and why Middle East conflicts are increasingly tied to great-power competition and shifting global alliances.

Chapters:

00:00 Expert Introductions and Backgrounds

02:41 Diverse Perspectives on U.S. Actions in Iran

08:44 Intelligence Insights and Military Operations

13:38 The Nuclear Threat and Its Implications

17:15 Speculation on Political Dynamics and Decision-Making

22:03 Differing Goals: U.S. vs. Israeli Strategies

28:24 The People's Desire for Secular Leadership

30:39 Challenges of Regime Change

32:26 The Kurdish Factor in Middle Eastern Politics

34:34 Speculations on Kurdish Armament

38:20 The Complexity of Kurdish Alliances

40:38 Potential Outcomes of a New Iran

47:48 Reflections on Military Effectiveness

52:08 Geopolitical Implications of U.S. Actions

53:58 Connections Between Venezuela and Iran

57:51 China's Role in Middle Eastern Dynamics

01:01:31 China's Influence in the Middle East

01:03:51 The Dynamics of Saudi-China Relations

01:05:18 Taiwan: A Strategic Flashpoint

01:06:41 The U.S.-China Economic Tug-of-War

01:10:23 The Role of the EU in Global Politics

01:12:52 Canada's Shift Towards China

01:16:18 The Future of U.S. Global Leadership

01:33:55 The Complex Web of Influence in Afghanistan

01:36:04 Iran's Role in China's Belt and Road Initiative

01:39:00 Canada's Geopolitical Position and Its Implications

01:46:22 The Future of U.S.-Iran Relations

01:50:45 Reflections on Military Operations and Strategic Goals

Army veteran and former law enforcement officer Cory Gautereaux, founder of the GOAT Initiative, joins the show to reveal what he’s uncovered while investigating activity along the US–Mexico border. Through grassroots intelligence gathering, recovered cell phones, and on-the-ground investigations, Cory has identified networks tied to human trafficking, counterfeit documents, and even communications linked to Chinese nationals coordinating border crossings. We discuss how volunteer-led efforts and technology are exposing gaps in federal enforcement that most Americans never see. This episode breaks down the evidence, the methods, and why Cory believes the border has quietly become a national security battlefield.

Check out GOAT Initiative: https://www.thegoatinitiative.org/

Chapters:

00:55 Cory's Journey: From San Diego to Montana

01:44 The Birth of Goat Initiative

05:52 Observations on Border Patrol and Immigration

14:00 Building Trust and Community Engagement

15:34 The Local Initiative: A Community Response

17:31 Eminent Domain and Border Control Issues

19:10 Building Trust and Community Relationships

22:23 The Goat Initiative: Scope and Operations

27:22 Filling the Gaps: National Security and Local Action

32:59 Evidence and Proactive Measures at the Border

33:14 Visual Evidence: Fires and Community Impact

35:52 Bureaucratic Incompetence and Personal Responsibility

39:19 The Breakdown of Community and Responsibility

43:12 Abdication of Responsibility in Society

45:26 The Role of Local Businesses in Community Safety

49:09 Observations on Immigration Patterns

54:53 Complicity in Policy and Bureaucracy

58:31 Trust and Responsibility in Law Enforcement

01:03:08 Chinese Immigration and Organized Processes

01:10:55 Coordinated Invasion: Understanding the Threat

01:14:28 Intel Gathering: The Role of Military and Asylum Seekers

01:18:41 The Impact of Bureaucracy on Border Security

01:24:30 Solutions and the Role of Private Contractors

01:29:27 The Need for Action: Congressional Responsibility

01:34:23 Future Threats: The Reality of September 11th 2.0

Modern dating didn’t just “get weird”, it was built this way. In this episode, we sit down with Matt from Effective Purpose to break down the structures and incentives behind the broken dating system, from feminism and cultural propaganda to the way churches sometimes reinforce the status quo. We dig into hypergamy, accountability, and what Christian community is supposed to look like when it actually functions. If you want clear-eyed analysis and practical steps for men and churches to rebuild healthier relationships, this one’s for you.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Broken Dating System

11:45 Exploring the Structures Behind Modern Dating

23:52 The Impact of Feminism on the Church

36:30 Hypergamy and Its Effects on Relationships

46:03 The Crisis of Modern Relationships

52:13 The Loneliness Epidemic Among Men

56:27 The Propaganda Machine: Maintaining the Status Quo

01:06:12 A Call to Action: What Young Men Can Do

01:15:40 Big Brothers: Supporting the Next Generation

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman joins the show to discuss Artemis, what it will take to build a sustainable moon base, and how that lunar infrastructure becomes the proving ground for eventual Mars missions. We dig into the emerging lunar economy and space industry; training, logistics, and the systems that turn “missions” into durable presence. Finally, we talk candidly about the competitive dimension with China and why space exploration is increasingly tied to national security and long-term strategic advantage.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Artemis and NASA's Vision

01:58 The Artemis Program: Goals and Objectives

05:30 Training for the Moon: Astronaut Preparation

07:55 Building a Long-Term Moon Base

09:54 Sustainable Practices for Moon Missions

11:56 Inspiration and American Identity in Space Exploration

13:16 National Security and Global Competition in Space

Kayla Dones is an independent/citizen journalist and the founder of The Protagonist Network, and has previously worked as an investigative journalist for O’Keefe Media Group. She’s also been publicly credited with major behind-the-scenes reporting work on the project “A Line in the Sand”.

In this episode, she joins us to discuss what’s going on around the “Chinese biolabs” discovered in California and Nevada, the Epstein files as a case study in how elite protection networks can persist in plain sight. And finally, we zoom out to the broader mechanics of human trafficking.

Chapters:

00:00 The Journey of a Citizen Journalist

03:44 Undercover Investigations: The Bio Lab Story

06:23 The Broader Implications of Bio Labs

09:40 The Role of Intel Agencies and Dual Passports

18:58 Water Safety and Accountability

22:34 Human Trafficking and the Epstein Files

27:35 The Role of Power and Blackmail

33:40 The Impact of Graphic Content on Awareness

39:20 Unity Across Divides: A New Narrative

44:09 Hope and Community Action

Check Out Our Sponsors:

Honor Tribe Outdoors (HTO) is more than a non-profit organization – we are a tribe, a community of Combat Veterans and Gold Star Families who find healing and connection through the serenity of outdoor conservation activities. Our programs offer a respite from the everyday grind, providing the opportunity to hunt, connect with nature, and create lifelong memories and bonds. https://honortribeoutdoors.org/

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Introducing the Lite Sleeper System, your perfect companion for every adventure. Designed for backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts, this tent combines lightweight portability with robust weather protection. Don't let a bulky tent weigh you down—choose the Lite Sleeper Tent and experience unparalleled convenience and comfort on your next journey! Use code "FIRE10" for 10% off your entire purchase! Explore more and get yours today at ⁠https://thelitesleeper.com/

Erik Holt went from military service to fire chief, then became a whistleblower after uncovering corruption that crippled emergency services and punished anyone who challenged the system. After being fired and publicly humiliated, he fought back through legal battles and exposed what he says was deeper wrongdoing, including election fraud in his community. This episode is a raw warning about how local power works, and a rallying call to get involved before corruption becomes untouchable.

Learn how to help: www.justiceforholt.com

Chapters:

00:00 The Gift of Serving: Positive Military Stories

02:11 Fraud and Mismanagement in Organizations

05:02 Personal Journey: From Military to Fire Chief

15:53 Identifying the Issues in Fire Service Leadership

18:57 Transforming a Failing Department

23:37 Building Community Engagement and Pride

32:32 The Election and Its Controversies

45:04 Uncovering Election Irregularities

51:02 Election Integrity and Observations

57:19 Investigating Election Fraud

01:02:32 The Hostile Takeover of the Fire Department

01:07:09 The Fallout of Corruption

01:16:14 Personal Impact and Community Support

01:20:28 The Fight for Justice Begins

Steve Fendley, President of Kratos Unmanned Systems Division at Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, joins the show to discuss where unmanned and autonomous systems are taking U.S. military power. He breaks down the logic of attritable platforms, scaling production, and why the next decade of deterrence is going to be won by systems you can field in volume. We get into what “next-gen warfare” looks like when autonomy and electronic warfare compete inside contested environments and why the US Navy may be fielding unmanned craft, no known weapon can defeat.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

00:57 Kratos and Next Generation Warfare

04:08 Challenges in Unmanned Aircraft Development

06:51 Supply Chain and Production Scaling

09:46 Ethical Considerations in Autonomous Warfare

12:59 The Role of Attritable Aircraft

16:04 Autonomy and Human-Machine Interaction

26:16 The Evolution of Pilot Responsibilities

29:02 Human Factors in Advanced Systems

30:52 Collaboration Across Military Branches

33:19 Enhancing Legacy Aircraft with Unmanned Systems

35:39 Mission Capabilities of CCA Aircraft

38:08 The Role of Unmanned Systems in Modern Warfare

41:13 Strategic Advantages of Unmanned Aircraft

46:07 The Future of Valkyrie and Its Impact

51:51 Hornet IV: A Game Changer for Taiwan

53:36 Cost Efficiency of Modern Military Aircraft

56:04 Strategic Dispersal of Military Assets

57:54 Enhancing Air Defense Capabilities

01:00:02 Legacy Systems and Their Role in Modern Warfare

01:01:25 Bridging Capabilities with Allies

01:02:26 Cybersecurity and Technology Theft

01:03:25 Understanding Hive Mind Technology

01:08:08 AI Precision vs. Estimation in Warfare

01:10:44 Lessons from the Ukraine Conflict

01:15:41 Innovations in Ground-Based Unmanned Systems

Check Out Our Sponsors:

Honor Tribe Outdoors (HTO) is more than a non-profit organization – we are a tribe, a community of Combat Veterans and Gold Star Families who find healing and connection through the serenity of outdoor conservation activities. Our programs offer a respite from the everyday grind, providing the opportunity to hunt, connect with nature, and create lifelong memories and bonds.

https://honortribeoutdoors.org/

Kill Cliff Energy! Looking for a clean energy boost without the crash? Kill Cliff Energy has you covered! Packed with natural ingredients, electrolytes, and just the right amount of caffeine, Kill Cliff gives you the energy you need to power through your day. Plus, with our exclusive discount code KCPODCAST20, you can get 20% off your next purchase. Fuel your energy and recovery with Kill Cliff! Check them out at https://www.killcliff.com

Introducing the Lite Sleeper System, your perfect companion for every adventure. Designed for backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts, this tent combines lightweight portability with robust weather protection. Don't let a bulky tent weigh you down—choose the Lite Sleeper Tent and experience unparalleled convenience and comfort on your next journey! Use code "FIRE10" for 10% off your entire purchase! Explore more and get yours today at ⁠https://thelitesleeper.com/

In 1983, Emanuela Orlandi, a 15-year-old Vatican citizen, vanished after an ordinary day in Rome, and the case has refused to stay buried ever since. What began as a missing-person investigation quickly brushed up against forces far larger than a single crime. In this episode, we trace the known timeline, the strange communications that followed, and how official explanations kept shifting just out of reach. Along the way, the story drifts into Rome’s criminal underworld, where favors, silence, and leverage often matter more than truth. It also intersects with an old prophecy that carried real political weight during the Cold War, raising uncomfortable questions about motive and timing. As parallel cases and overlooked connections resurface, the picture grows darker rather than clearer. This isn’t a story about rumors, it’s about why some mysteries are never solved.

Snag some merch: www.redpillthreads.com/icamewithfire

Chapters:

00:00 The Mysterious Circumstances of Disappearance

13:46 The Disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi

19:18 The Role of the Vatican

22:55 The Dossier and Its Implications

34:09 The Demand for Emanuela's Release

43:29 The Timeline of Events

49:24 The Chilling Evidence: The Torture Tape

55:15 The Role of Media in Kidnapping Cases

01:02:19 The Pope's Visit and the International Terrorism Narrative

01:08:10 The Family's Desperation and New Leads

01:14:15 The Impact of Institutional Walls on Investigations

01:19:37 The Luxembourg Incident

01:25:58 New Witness: Raffaella Notorialli

01:33:35 The Favor for the Vatican

01:41:07 The Vatican's Sovereign Immunity

01:49:33 The Vatican's Involvement in the Scandal

01:56:45 The Prophecy of Fatima and Its Significance

02:05:38 The Mysterious Death of Roberto Calvi

02:11:54 The Influence of the P2 Masonic Lodge

02:20:50 New Evidence and Witnesses in the Case

02:26:09 The Vatican's Denial and the Consequences

02:33:46 The Connection to International Politics

02:39:05 The Message Behind the Kidnappings

02:43:49 The Mysterious Messages and Disinterment

02:49:36 The Legacy of Emanuela and Mirella

Check Out Our Sponsors:

Honor Tribe Outdoors (HTO) is more than a non-profit organization – we are a tribe, a community of Combat Veterans and Gold Star Families who find healing and connection through the serenity of outdoor conservation activities. Our programs offer a respite from the everyday grind, providing the opportunity to hunt, connect with nature, and create lifelong memories and bonds.

https://honortribeoutdoors.org/

Kill Cliff Energy! Looking for a clean energy boost without the crash? Kill Cliff Energy has you covered! Packed with natural ingredients, electrolytes, and just the right amount of caffeine, Kill Cliff gives you the energy you need to power through your day. Plus, with our exclusive discount code KCPODCAST20, you can get 20% off your next purchase. Fuel your energy and recovery with Kill Cliff! Check them out at https://www.killcliff.com

In the first episode of No Party Affiliation, the hosts introduce their professional backgrounds and use that lens to unpack how U.S. foreign policy decisions are made, sold, and executed. They examine regime change as a practice, with Iraq, Venezuela, and Iran as case studies, and they question the gap between stated objectives and real incentives. The conversation covers how culture, propaganda, and bureaucratic planning shape military operations and public narratives. They also assess what China’s demographic decline could mean for its long-term military capacity and how communist government concentrates power and distorts decision-making. The through line is simple: international politics is messy, and understanding it requires more than slogans and official talking points.

Chapters:

00:00 Personal Anecdotes and Humor03:29 Hosts Introduce Themselves06:14 Cultural Differences in Military Experience10:11 Challenges of Regime Change Discussions13:04 Regime Change: Venezuela vs. Iraq13:59 Planning Military Operations20:07 PsyOps and U.S. Interests23:00 The Role of Intelligence Agencies39:15 Current Situation in Venezuela45:13 The Narrative of Military Operations49:27 Regime Change and Its Implications01:14:22 Iran: Protests and Propaganda01:19:11 The Call for Regime Change01:20:24 Understanding Uprisings: Organic vs. Organized01:21:55 The Role of International Actors01:25:18 Cultural Perspectives on Governance01:29:25 The Future of Iran: Internal vs. External Change

Michael Thompson, co-founder and managing partner of Reinvent Capital, a director at Joby Aviation, and a board member at Oklo, joins the show to talk about what it will actually take to reindustrialize America. We dig into why Oklo's small modular reactors (SMRs) are the missing piece for abundant, reliable power and how overregulation has slowed nuclear’s ability to scale when the country needs it most. Then we pivot to the mobility side of the rebuild: why Joby’s approach is different, including its hydrogen-electric work aimed at unlocking true regional-range flight powered by hydrogen fuel cells. If you care about energy dominance, manufacturing capacity, and the next era of American infrastructure, this one’s a blueprint.

Learn more here:

Oklo: https://oklo.com/overview/default.aspx

Joby Aviation: https://www.jobyaviation.com/

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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:58 The 1870s Thesis and Infrastructure Investment

05:43 Challenges in American Manufacturing

08:47 The Nuclear Industry's Decline and Regulation

11:34 Oklo's Vision and Partnerships

14:32 The Future of Nuclear Energy and SMRs

17:42 Uranium Mining and Domestic Supply Chains

20:45 Understanding SMRs and Oklo's Technology

23:29 Community Integration and Energy Solutions

26:47 Education and Career Pathways in Nuclear Engineering

35:04 The Impact of AI on Education and Employment

39:34 Nuclear Technology and Global Diplomacy

43:26 Transformations in U.S. Defense and Manufacturing

46:28 Joby Aviation: Innovations in Air Travel

52:47 Hydrogen Fuel Cells and Future of Aviation

01:01:05 Advice for Entering Cutting-Edge Technologies

Check Out Our Sponsors:

Honor Tribe Outdoors (HTO) is more than a non-profit organization – we are a tribe, a community of Combat Veterans and Gold Star Families who find healing and connection through the serenity of outdoor conservation activities. Our programs offer a respite from the everyday grind, providing the opportunity to hunt, connect with nature, and create lifelong memories and bonds.

https://honortribeoutdoors.org/

Kill Cliff Energy! Looking for a clean energy boost without the crash? Kill Cliff Energy has you covered! Packed with natural ingredients, electrolytes, and just the right amount of caffeine, Kill Cliff gives you the energy you need to power through your day. Plus, with our exclusive discount code KCPODCAST20, you can get 20% off your next purchase. Fuel your energy and recovery with Kill Cliff! Check them out at https://www.killcliff.com

Redefine Violence. Redefine Violence is a unifying banner for ALL violent arts, disciplines, professions, and survivors of violent circumstance. REDEFINE VIOLENCE! If you fit into one of those categories or just want to support a noble cause, head on over to their site either directly at www.redefineviolence.com or through our "Promos" highlight on Instagram and get yourself some awesome merch or MMA gear. Use coupon code "FIRE10" at checkout for 10% off your entire purchase! https://redefineviolence.com/